The Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri announced that through the tourism brand VisitGozo, the Ministry is collaborating with the Malta Premier League for the second consecutive year to bring Maltese Premier League matches to Gozo for another year during the Gozo Weekender. The matches, for this initiative that combines sport with tourism, are scheduled to take place between 11-12 April and 18-19 April 2026 at the Gozo Stadium.<\/p>\n
Minister Camilleri stated that last year’s Gozo Weekender was a great success. Over a period of six matches, around 5,500 spectators attended at the Gozo Stadium. In addition, the event attracted hundreds of supporters who visited Gozo with their families and friends to spend the weekend on the island. He continued by saying that “this initiative continues to show how sport can serve as an important driver for the economy and tourism in Gozo. The success we had last year clearly shows how much initiatives such as these can create economic movement and at the same time offer a unique experience to football fans. This year we wanted to go a step further, with more games and more activities that will continue to strengthen the sporting atmosphere in Gozo and attract more people to our island.”<\/p>\n
In fact, according to figures from the National Statistics Office, hotels in Gozo recorded a 25% increase in tourist arrivals in the month of March 2025. For the first time, the number of visitors exceeded 10,000 people, resulting in more than 24,000 bed-nights. It is also estimated that last year’s event generated around \u20ac600,000 in economic activity in the Gozitan economy.<\/p>\n
Last year was historic as, after 25 years, Gozo once again hosted an official Maltese Premier League match, when the Gozo FC club was promoted and competed in the league.<\/p>\n
The Chief Executive of the Malta Premier League, Alan Abela said that \u201cthis initiative allows us to once again cross over to Gozo and give the Gozitan public the opportunity to closely follow the matches of Malta’s top division. YoHealth Malta Premier thanks the Ministry for Gozo and Planning together with Visit Gozo for once again supporting this project.\u201d<\/p>\n
GFA President Samuel Azzopardi said that “this is a particular event for Gozo where, based on the success achieved last year, now instead of one weekend there will be two. Decisive and important games for the Maltese Championship. The Gozo Football Association is once again offering the Gozo Stadium for these competitive games and thanks the Ministry for Gozo for making this possible.”<\/p>\n
This year the Gozo Weekender will also include new elements. Among others, the game programme will be split over two weekends and will include confrontations between both the TOP 6 and the BOTTOM 6 of the championship. This means that Gozo will be hosting important matches related to the fight for the championship, the qualification for European competitions, as well as the battle against relegation.<\/p>\n
At the same time, a football tournament for children will also be organised, which will increase the sporting atmosphere and football energy on the island.<\/p>\n
Minister Clint Camilleri thanked the Gozo Football Association for its cooperation and the Malta Premier League for its initiative and continuous work for the development of Maltese football.<\/p>\n
Finally, Minister Clint Camilleri invited Maltese and Gozitan fans to take this opportunity and attend the matches at the Gozo Stadium, so that together they can create a great sporting atmosphere during this football festival in Gozo.<\/p>\n
Photo: MGP<\/em><\/p>\n