Marsa digs to take page out of Bodø/Glimt home

Image: Malta Premier League

Maltese football is to get a new stadium in Marsa (town in European country Malta).

‘timesofmalta.com’ stated that the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Level 3 stadium will have a 5,000-person capacity and will be eligible to host matches up to the league phase of the UEFA competitions.

Nyon (Switzerland)-based the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is one of six continental bodies of governance in association football. It governs football, futsal and beach football in Europe and the transcontinental countries of Russia (suspended), Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan as well as the West Asian countries of Cyprus, Armenia and Israel. The UEFA consists of 55 national association members.

‘timesofmalta.com’ further stated that the above project, announced recently, will also include a training pitch, rugby pitch and baseball facilities.

Works on the stadium are expected to begin in 2027 with a target date for completion set for 2030.

It will be covered in artificial turf similar to that used by the Norwegian football team Bodø/Glimt.

The decision to use artificial turf was taken due to the Maltese weather restrictions and means that the stadium can be used to host concerts and other large-scale events just 48 hours before the matches.

It will feature two opposing stands – one for the home fans and an opposing one for the away supporters – and will have hospitality suites for the VIP attendees.

The land where the stadium will be built is owned by the local rugby federation which will also be getting a new club house as part of the deal.

The Malta Premier League head honcho Alan Abela described the project as “a new home for Maltese football”.

He added, “Designed to elevate every matchday this project will bring the fans closer to the action, introduce modern facilities and set new standards for football in Malta.”

The Malta Premier League, also known as the Yo Health Malta Premier for sponsorship reasons, is the highest level of professional football in Malta.

The Malta Premier League announced plans to build their own football stadium which will not only be used to host matches from Malta’s top championship but also will serve as the home of the body representing the top-tier clubs.

Malta Premier League Chairman Dr. Joseph Muscat said that the main aim of the project was to improve the matchday experience for the football lovers.

Added Dr. Muscat, “We are looking to provide a wholesome matchday experience not just to the football fans but also to their whole family. Apart from the home and the away stands we will introduce the concept of having a family stand. This will be equipped with a special surface on which the children can play and enjoy their time at the stadium in a safe environment. This is not a commercialized project which means that there will be no shopping malls built, or similar buildings included in it. We will install a top-level surface. Such a surface will enable us to host the matches even when there is bad weather and can help us host many matches without the fear of suffering infrastructural damage.”

Dr. Muscat said that the stadium will be a multievent venue with the aim of hosting music concerts and other events.

Dr. Muscat stated that the Malta Premier League stadium is being done with the full backing of the Malta Football Association.

He continued, “Hopefully we will be able to start construction works by January 2027.”

On his part, the Minister for Home Affairs Byron Camilleri announced that the foreign investors who will be part of the project will be considered for the award of Maltese Citizenship on Merit – “There have been many instances where a citizenship on merit was used in sport. Thanks to the law amendments made last year we are considering that those who provide major financial support to the project, from which all Maltese sports will benefit, will be allowed to apply for Maltese citizenship on merit. We will put into place a very strong due diligence exercise which sometimes has been criticized that it was too strict for every application. And a final decision will be taken after not only a significant contribution by the prospective candidate has been made but also when the strict due diligence exercise is completed.”

On his part, Sports Minister Dr. Clifton Grima said it has been one of the Government’s major investments in sports infrastructure – “Our country today enjoys a great reputation in hosting major international events in Malta and the legacy they left behind, particularly the new sporting facilities. This is a concrete plan that has a clear vision of when it will start and when it will be completed. More importantly, this project will provide us with a top sporting facility that will help us strengthen our sports vision and further increase the importance of our clubs in our community and provide a better future for the young sportsmen.”

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