The World Series of Poker is finally bringing its Circuit series to Malta.
Casino Malta confirmed this week that it will host a WSOP Circuit festival from September 25 to October 5, marking the first time the iconic poker brand has staged a live event on the Mediterranean island.
For a destination that has become a regular stop for major European tours over the past decade, the absence of the WSOP had always felt like a missing piece. That changes this fall.
The 11-day series will feature 12 WSOP Circuit ring events, all taking place at Casino Malta in St. Julian’s. The festival is being organized in partnership with Texapoker, the French live events company that has worked closely with the WSOP brand across several European stops in recent years.
Expect GGPoker, the partner of WSOP, to host online qualifiers on its platform closer to the start of the series.
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For local players and traveling regulars alike, this is not just another festival added to an already crowded calendar. A WSOP Circuit stop carries weight. Each ring event winner will receive the coveted gold ring along with a $5,000 package to WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas, offering Maltese players a direct route to one of the brand’s flagship international destinations.
“Hosting the WSOP Circuit at Casino Malta is a historic moment for us,” said Slawomir Switalski, General Manager at Casino Malta. “We are honored to collaborate with Texapoker and the World Series of Poker to bring this prestigious series to our venue. Our team is fully prepared to welcome international players and provide an exceptional experience both on and off the tables.”
While the full schedule is still to be published, organizers have confirmed that the 12 ring events will be spread across the festival, culminating in the WSOPC Main Event. Side events and satellite qualifiers will run throughout the series, giving players of all bankroll levels opportunities to compete.
Europe’s Reliable Poker Host: Malta
Casino Malta is no stranger to large-field events. The venue has hosted some of the island’s most recognizable tournaments, including the Battle of Malta, which runs twice annually and consistently draws players from across Europe. The next edition takes place from May 27 to June 3, setting the stage for a busy year ahead.
In 2025, PokerStars returned to the island after nearly a decade away to stage EPT Malta at the same venue. The €5,300 Main Event attracted 898 entries and generated a prize pool exceeding €4.3 million, once again proving that Malta can deliver when it comes to marquee live festivals.
The island’s poker footprint extends beyond one venue. Portomaso Casino has also played a central role in Malta’s live poker growth, regularly hosting tours such as The Festival and the Malta Poker Festival. Over the years, it has staged events including PartyPoker MILLIONS, APAT, Unibet Deepstack Open, PokerStars Megastack, and the Italian Poker Open.
All of this explains why Malta has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable poker destinations. The weather, accessibility, and compact layout make it an easy choice for operators and players alike. English is widely spoken, flights are well connected, and everything is within a short distance once you arrive.
For years, however, one major brand had yet to plant its flag on the island: the World Series of Poker.
That omission stood out, particularly given how aggressively the WSOP Circuit has expanded internationally over the past decade. The tour has visited dozens of countries, primarily across Europe but also in Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Stops have included established markets such as the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, as well as destinations like Morocco, Senegal, Aruba, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Panama.
In fact, the WSOP is simultaneously breaking new ground elsewhere in Europe. The brand is currently hosting its first-ever Circuit stop in Liechtenstein at Grand Casino Gamprin. That festival kicked off on Thursday and runs through March 10, adding yet another new pin to the Circuit’s growing international map.
Malta, despite its strong live poker credentials, had remained absent from that list — until now.
“As the first-ever WSOP Circuit stop in Malta, this partnership is a major milestone for live poker in the region,” said WSOP Chief Operating Officer Gregory Chochon. “Hosting the series at Casino Malta combines a premier destination with the strength of the WSOP brand. Our goal is simple: to deliver a world-class event and set a new standard on the European poker calendar.”
Texapoker’s Apo Chantzis echoed that ambition. “We are extremely proud to bring the WSOP Circuit brand to Malta for the very first time,” he said. “Together with Casino Malta, we are committed to delivering a world-class festival that meets the highest international standards. Players can expect strong structures, professional operations, and an unforgettable atmosphere.”
For Maltese players, the arrival of the WSOP Circuit means the chance to compete for official WSOP hardware without boarding a flight. For traveling regulars, it adds another attractive autumn stop in a location that already understands how to host poker at scale.
This September, Malta finally gets its WSOP moment and it arrives at a time when the Circuit is clearly not done expanding.
