Battle of Malta
Table of Contents
The Battle of Malta is an annual poker festival held on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Established in 2012, it has grown to become one of Europe’s most popular poker events, especially for low to mid-stakes players.
The tournament features a No-Limit Texas Hold’em Main Event with an affordable buy-in, attracting thousands of players from around the world. Known for its friendly atmosphere and significant prize pools, the Battle of Malta offers a unique blend of competitive poker and vacation experience.
2026 Battle of Malta Spring Edition
The 2026 Battle of Malta Spring Edition is taking place in at the end of May, start from May 27th until June 3rd. The festival promises a €500,000 GTD for its 2026 Spring edition, with the Main Event being the highlight. Of course, the Spring edition is like the little brother of the Autumn edition, as there the guaranteed prize was
set at €2 million GTD across the entire festival. Just like previous years, the Spring edition is traditionally one month before summer officially kicks in. With numerous opening flights, the Main Event is the pillar of it all, and this will be no different in 2026.
The Battle of Malta is known for offering two different kinds of opening flights for the Main Event. You have the traditional flights, which go with a buy-in of €600, and then you have the half-priced flights that go by €300. The starting stack for each of these flights will be adjusted accordingly, so it makes sense in regard to the half-priced buy-in. What sets Battle of Malta apart from the rest, as well, is that there are Chip Leader bonuses available; this happens in every flight. Similar to previous editions, the top three players usually get these bonuses awarded. What also happens, as we could see in the previous Autumn edition, is that the overall chip leader is being awarded with a package for the next event.
The schedule has not yet been released, but you can be certain to have the following tournaments available:
- €450 Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty
- €1,100 High Roller
- €300 Sharkbay – Eurorounders Bounty (usually changes name, depending on sponsor)
- €300/€600 Battle of Malta Main Event
History of the Series
The Battle of Malta was first organized by PokerListings in 2012. The inaugural event took place at the Portomaso Casino in St. Julian’s, Malta. With a buy-in of €550, the Main Event attracted 349 entries, creating a prize pool of €169,265. Italian player Nicodemo Piccolo became the first champion, taking home €35,000.
In 2018, the tournament became part of Casino Malta by Olympic Casino. The event moved to the larger and more modern Eden Arena at the InterContinental Conference Centre. This transition allowed for a significant increase in capacity, accommodating the growing number of participants and offering enhanced facilities.
Since its inception, the Battle of Malta has seen remarkable growth. From 349 entries in 2012, the number of participants soared to over 6,039 by 2025. The tournament has consistently broken its own records, both in terms of entries and prize pools. The Main Event prize pool exceeded €2,5 million in 2025, highlighting the event’s increasing popularity.
| Year | Entries | Prize Pool (€) | Winner | First Prize (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6,039 | €2,707,970 | Candido Gabriele Cappielo | €225,770 |
| 2025 | 1,542 | €776,400 | Adrian Ziemichod | €120,000 |
| 2024 | 5799 | €2,578,172 | Cosme Martinez | €255,800 |
| 2024 | 1,814 | €913,349 | Vasileios Zisis | €100,000 |
| 2023 | 3,432 | €1,728,010 | Gabriele Re | €209,500 |
| 2023 | 1,992 | €1,002,972 | Dario Barone | €156,500 |
| 2022 | 4,342 | €2,171,000 | Dimitrios Anastasakis | €285,900 |
| 2022 | 2,592 | €1,244,160 | Giuseppe Rosa | €200,340 |
| 2019 | 4,657 | €2,258,645 | Serghei Lisii | €247,167 |
| 2018 | 3,816 | €1,850,760 | Julien Stropoli | €168,500 |
| 2017 | 2,074 | €1,005,890 | Nadav Lipszyc | €200,000, |
| 2016 | 1,813 | €879,305 | Robert Berglund | €160,000 |
| 2015 | 1,804 | €875,000 | Nicolas Proust | €110,000 |
| 2014 | 1,447 | €701,795 | Antoan Katsarov | €122,750 |
| 2013 | 888 | €430,680 | Louis Cartarius | €68,000 |
| 2012 | 349 | 169,265 | Nicodemo Piccolo | 35,000 |
Notable Milestones
- European Poker Award: In 2014, the Battle of Malta won the European Poker Award for “Best Poker Tournament Under €2,000 Buy-in,” recognizing its excellence and growing influence in the poker community.
- Record-Breaking Attendance: The festival consistently set new records for attendance, with the Main Event entries surpassing 4,657 in 2019, making it one of the largest poker tournaments in Europe.
- Transition to Online: In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Battle of Malta was held online at GGPoker. The online events attracted massive participation, with entries reaching 8,789 in 2020 and 6,591 in 2021.
Tournaments
The Battle of Malta festival includes a variety of poker events catering to different preferences:
- Main Event: The flagship No-Limit Texas Hold’em tournament with a €600 buy-in, offering a substantial prize pool and attracting the largest number of participants.
- High Roller Events: For players seeking higher stakes, the festival features High Roller tournaments with larger buy-ins and prize pools.
- Side Events: A range of side events, including Pot-Limit Omaha, Turbo tournaments, and Bounty events, provide additional opportunities for players.
- Special Events: The festival has hosted special tournaments such as the Ladies Event and a Seniors Event.
Series Venue
The Battle of Malta is held at at Casino Malta and the Eden Arena at the adjoining Intercontinental Hotel Malta. This spacious venue accommodates the growing number of participants and provides a comfortable environment for the events. Located in the heart of Malta’s entertainment district, players have access to hotels, restaurants, and nightlife, enhancing the overall experience.
- Address: St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s, STJ 3310, Malta
Additional Information
- Hosts and Personalities: The tournament has been hosted by prominent figures in the poker world, including Kara Scott, Maria Ho, Gaëlle Garcia Diaz, Patricia Rimfire, and Laura Cornelius. Their involvement has added prestige and a personal touch to the event.
- Player Community: The Battle of Malta is known for its welcoming atmosphere, making it popular among amateur players. It provides an opportunity for recreational players to compete alongside professionals in a friendly setting.
- Tournament Schedule: Check the actual schedule of BoM events on the official site before the events.