Battle of Malta
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.
2025 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition
The 2025 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition is taking place in a little over a month, from October 28th to November 5th at Casino Malta and the Eden Arena. The festival is promising a €2 million GTD for its 2025 Autumn edition, with the Main Event doing most of the heavy lifting with its €1.5 million GTD.
Just like previous years, the Autumn Edition Main Event will feature nine opening flights from October 29 to November 2. These will have a €600 buy-in and a starting stack of 40,000 chips with blinds increasing every 40 minutes. Another returning act are the nightly half-price flights, offering a reduced €300 buy-in and a 20,000 starting stack between October 29 and November 1. Finally, there are also the Chip Leader bonuses to look out for. Similar as before, the top three players in the daily flights and the overall chip leader in the nightly flights are awarded a 2026 Battle of Malta package valued at €1,500.
Beyond the Main Event, several other tournaments will take place during the series, including:
- €450 Siege of Malta Mystery Bounty (October 28th – October 31st)
- €1,100 High Roller
- €300 Sharkbay – Eurorounders Bounty (November 2nd to November 3rd)
Check of the Complete 2025 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Schedule.
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 4,329 by 2022. The tournament has consistently broken its own records, both in terms of entries and prize pools. The Main Event prize pool exceeded €2 million in 2022, highlighting the event’s increasing popularity.
| Year | Entries | Prize Pool (€) | Winner | First Prize (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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, 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.
- Check actual schedule of BoM events on the official site before events.