The Visit Gozo Weekender 2026 stands out as one of the most exciting sporting initiatives in Malta's football calendar, blending top-tier competition with tourism and community spirit on the island of Gozo.
The first part of the Gozo Weekender was held the past weekend with the second part scheduled for the coming weekend. Organised in collaboration with the Malta Premier League and supported by Visit Gozo, the event has quickly grown into a unique showcase that brings the intensity of elite football to a more relaxed island setting.
The MPL together with the Gozo Ministry and all stakeholders is building on the success of its first edition. In fact the 2026 Gozo Weekender expanded significantly, taking place over two consecutive weekends-11-12 April and 18-19 April-at the Gozo Stadium.
This extended format allowed for a wider range of fixtures, featuring both Top Six and Bottom Six teams from the Maltese Premier League. The structure ensured that fans could witness crucial matches influencing the title race, European qualification spots, and relegation battles, all within the scenic and intimate environment of Gozo.
What makes the Gozo Weekender particularly special is its dual purpose. Beyond football, it serves as a strategic initiative to promote domestic tourism. Hundreds of supporters travel from mainland Malta to spend the weekend on the island, combining sport with leisure. The previous edition attracted around 5,500 spectators and generated thousands of overnight stays, highlighting its economic impact. For 2026, projections estimated an even greater contribution to the local economy, reinforcing Gozo's role as a vibrant destination beyond the traditional summer season.
Another key highlight of the 2026 edition is the introduction of additional activities aimed at broadening its appeal. The atmosphere during the Gozo Weekender is distinct. Unlike larger stadiums on the mainland, Gozo offers a closer connection between players and fans, creating an energetic yet intimate matchday experience. The combination of competitive football, scenic surroundings, and a festive island vibe transforms the event into a celebration of sport and culture.
In essence, the Gozo Weekender 2026 is successfully capturing the spirit of Maltese football while showcasing the island's charm. By merging high-level competition with tourism and community initiatives, it continues to grow as a flagship event that benefits both the sport and the local economy.
The first weekend featuring matches from the Top Six proved to be a great success. Let's bring on the matches from the Bottom Six so that we can finally say that this year's Visit Gozo Weekend was once again a great success.
'A massive win for us'
- Erdal Karaman, Asst.Coach M'Xlokk FC
'It was a great game from our side, The players showed true character and were a compact lot'. These were the first comments passed by the M'Xlokk assistant coach. 'Our win was a deserved one but we played against a very strong side. Hamrun showed that even when with a man less they can be of a threat. In fact they drew level when in inferiority. But in the end the goal came in the best time when in stoppage time a scorcher by Tristan Caruana gave us the three merited points.' Karaman concluded.
'We conceeded in the worse moments'
- Giacomo Modica, coach Hamrun S. FC
'Marcelina's red card cost us dearly. We lost a player and a very good player indeed. But away from this, I have to congratulate M'Xlokk for playing a very intense match.' Giacomo Modica's comments after his teams loss against the seasiders. The Italian coach continued 'We conceeded in the worst moments of the match. My players gave their all but it was not meant to be. We have to move on and concentrate onto the next match which is a difficult one against Gzria United'
CURIOSITIES
v Last season during the Gozo Weekender we had a goal from a distance when Hamrun goalkeeper Henry Bonello found the net from his own penalty area. This time around Yuri Messias opened the score for Valletta beating Gzira goalkeeper Karl Sargent from the centre circle.
v The Premier league encounter between Marsaxlokk and Hamrun Spartans never ended in a draw. In fact last Saturday's was the 31st between both clubs, a match which was so near to end in a 2-2 draw, had it not been for Tristan Caruana who found the net deep into stoppage time.
v Floriana have never lost when Jake Grech has scored in the Malta Premier League. The same happened when Grech was with his previous club Hibernians. The last time that he scored in the Malta Premier League and ended up losing was on the 11 November 2018 when playing with Birkirkara, scored and lost 2-1
TOP SIX TABLE
Floriana 28
Ħamrun S. 22
Marsaxlokk 22
Valletta 20
Naxxar L. 18
Gżira Utd. 17
BOTTOM SIX TABLE
Sliema W. 17
Birkirkara 16
Hibernians 12
Zabbar SP 10
Tarxien R. 7
Mosta 5
RESULTS - MD 28
Sliema W. - Hibernians 1-1
Naxxar L. - Floriana 0-1
M'Xlokk - Hamrun S. 3-2
Birkirkara - Zabbar SP 1-0
Tarxien R. - Mosta 2-2
Valletta - Gzira Utd. 2-1
NEXT MATCHES - MD 29
Tuesday 14th April
Tony Bezzina Stadium
6.00pm Sliema W. - Birkirkara
8.30pm Tarxien R. - Hibernians
Wednesday 15th April
National Stadium
6.00pm Hamrun S. - Gzira Utd.
8.30pm M'Xlokk - Floriana
Tony Bezzina Stadium
6.00pm Naxxar L. - Valletta
8.30pm Mosta - Zabbar SP
CLEAN SHEETS
Ħamrun S. 17
Birkirkara 13
Valletta 12
Floriana 12
Gżira Utd. 9
Marsaxlokk 8
Sliema W. 7
Żabbar SP 6
Mosta 5
Naxxar L. 4
Hibernians 3
Tarxien R. 1
TOP SCORERS
Y. Messias (Valletta) 12
L. Villela (Hibernians) 11
J. Mbong (Hamrun S.) 11
J. Grech (Floriana) 11
P. Emanuel (Mosta) 10
P. Santiago Cejas (Zabbar SP) 9
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 8
A. Penha da Costa (Gżira Utd.) 8
Ailton Soares (M'Xlokk) 8
M. Jah (Floriana) 7
Vitinho (Naxxar L.) 7
M. Maia (Gzira Utd.) 7
Sponsored by
