VisitMalta renews financial support for Maltese clubs competing in Europe

An agreement has been reached between VisitMalta and the Malta Football Association to allow Maltese football and futsal clubs competing in European competitions to receive financial support.

Over the past few years, VisitMalta has supported local football clubs participating in official UEFA competitions through a financial incentive scheme. For another year, each club will receive a grant of €15,000.

The local teams benefiting from this incentive are Floriana FC in the UEFA Champions League; Ħamrun Spartans FC, Marsaxlokk FC and Valletta FC in the UEFA Europa Conference League; Mġarr FC Women in the UEFA Women’s Champions League; Luxol St Andrews in the UEFA Futsal Champions League; and Valletta FC in the UEFA Youth League. The participating teams will wear the VisitMalta brand on their playing kits throughout their UEFA campaigns.

Minister for Tourism Jo Etienne Abela said that this agreement is a clear demonstration of the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting athletes at every stage of their journey, including beyond Malta’s shores.

Minister Abela added that sport is no longer just about competition; it has become a powerful tool for countries to promote their identity, strengthen their reputation and attract new opportunities. “Malta’s geographical size should never be an obstacle to the aspirations of Maltese sport. On the contrary, it should serve as motivation to be more proactive and encourage more sporting organisations to venture beyond our shores. When they represent Malta abroad, they are not only promoting the Maltese flag but also enhancing our country’s reputation and demonstrating that, despite our size, we can compete and succeed on the international stage. When Maltese sport wins, the whole of Malta wins,” Dr Abela concluded.

Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo said: “This initiative is a clear example of how collaboration between the Malta FA, the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority can deliver tangible results for the benefit of Maltese football. This financial assistance represents a direct investment in our member clubs, helping them to further strengthen their professionalism and face the challenges of European competitions with greater confidence. I thank the Ministry for Tourism and the MTA for their support and commitment towards the development of Maltese football and the futsal discipline, enabling us to achieve our strategic objectives.”

MTA Chief Executive Officer Carlo Micallef said: “This collaboration further strengthens our vision of using sport as a strategic platform to promote Malta internationally. Maltese clubs competing in Europe are important ambassadors for our country and, through their exposure, we continue to strengthen the VisitMalta brand among new audiences. Sports tourism has strong potential, both economically and in promoting Malta’s identity, and the MTA remains committed to supporting initiatives that continue to position Malta as a dynamic, modern and attractive destination for the international market.”