The Battle of Malta Returns Bigger Than Ever in 2026; Qualify from €0.01 on bwin

Few poker festivals in Europe capture the imagination quite like the Battle of Malta. Set against the backdrop of a stunning Mediterranean island, the event blends big prize pools, a fun community atmosphere, and a unique theme that turns every table into a battlefield. All of it unfolds under the Maltese sun, beside the sparkling sea, and, last but certainly not least, in the pursuit of serious poker.

Over the years, the Battle of Malta has grown into one of the largest and most beloved poker festivals in Europe, for recreational players and seasoned pros alike. Last year, the festival shattered its own attendance record, drawing a staggering 6,039 entries, making it the biggest edition in its rich history. Italy’s Candido Gabriele Cappiello won the Main Event, taking home €225,700 after topping the record-breaking field. And that record-breaking momentum is exactly why the 2026 Summer Edition is going one step further.

👉 Satellite into the 2026 Battle of Malta from just €0.01 exclusively on poker.pro’s new partner bwin, and with a hoodie!

€1,000,000 Guaranteed for the 2026 Summer Edition

The 2026 Battle of Malta will run from May 27 to June 3, and while previous editions already featured a generous €500,000 guaranteed prize pool across the festival, organizers are now doubling down. This year, the total guaranteed prize pool has been increased to a massive €1,000,000.

At the heart of it all stands the €600 buy-in Main Event, which once again promises to attract a huge and diverse field. The Main Event has always been known for its fantastic structure, welcoming atmosphere, and unique mix of players from all parts of the world.

The preliminary schedule has now been released, giving players the perfect opportunity to start organizing travel plans and mapping out their tournament grind. And with three months still to go, this is also the perfect time to try to qualify for a fraction of the buy-in.

Qualify from Just €0.01, Exclusively on bwin

We’re excited to announce that bwin is now a new partner of poker.pro, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by giving our community a shot at the Battle of Malta for cents. Thanks to bwin, you can qualify for the 2026 Battle of Malta from just €0.01, exclusively online.

And that’s not all, to celebrate this new partnership, every player who signs up to bwin through poker.pro and qualifies for the Battle of Malta will receive an exclusive poker.pro hoodie.

👉 So sign up on bwin today, start your satellite journey, and begin your battle for a seat at the Battle of Malta.

The Satellite Path From €0.01 to a €1,200 Package

The stakes are truly high this year, with the €700,000 Guaranteed Main Event headlining the schedule. And your path to Malta can begin for just one cent. Players are competing for a €1,200 Battle of Malta package, which includes:

• €460 accommodation expenses: 4 nights at Holiday Inn Express Malta (IHG), St Julian’s STJ 3310, double room with breakfast (up to 2 people)
• €600 direct tournament buy-in
• €140 cash for other expenses

Winners must contact bwin Support to arrange package redemption and logistics.

Satellite Schedule:

• Centroll €0.01 – Daily at 17:00
  Awards 7 tickets to the €1.10 Feeder
  Extra Centrolls run on the last Sunday of each month and on May 17 (13:00 and 16:00)
• Feeder €1.10 – Daily at 17:45
  Awards 3 tickets to €11 Phase 1
  Extra Feeders run on the last Sunday of each month and on May 17 (13:45 and 16:45)
• Phase 1 €11 – Daily at 19:00
  Awards 1 ticket to the €109 Final Phase
  Extra Phase 1 satellites run on the last Sunday of each month and on May 17 (15:00 and 18:00)
• Final Phase €109 – Runs on the last Sunday of each month and on May 17
  2 packages guaranteed

Players can enter at any level. You can start with a €0.01 Centroll and climb the ladder, or buy directly into the €109 Final Phase for a shot at the full package. All times are in CET.

Preliminary 2026 Battle of Malta Schedule Released

The official preliminary schedule for the 2026 Battle of Malta has now been unveiled, with even more events still to be added.

Main Event: “Let The Battle Begin”

The headline tournament boasts a €700,000 guaranteed prize pool, with the €600 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Main Event taking center stage. Players can choose from five starting flights running May 28–31, including a fast-paced Day 1E Turbo on the same day as Day 2. As always, the structure is deep and player-friendly, all building toward the Final Day on Wednesday, June 3.

Mystery Bounty: “Siege of Malta”

The ever-popular Mystery Bounty returns with a €100,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool, combining thrilling bounty draws with strong overall prize pool value. Multiple Day 1 flights provide maximum flexibility.

High Roller Event

For players seeking bigger stakes, the High Roller Event comes with a €200,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool for €1,100 buy-in, delivered through a structured multi-day format designed to attract serious competition.

Ladies Event

The Ladies Event remains a cornerstone of the festival, featuring a buy-in of €150 and providing a dedicated competitive stage for female players.

Beyond the headline tournaments, the Summer Edition includes numerous satellites into all major events, side events and turbo formats, mixed games and specialty formats. This diverse and dynamic schedule ensures non-stop action for players of all bankrolls and experience levels throughout the entire week.

2026 Battle of Malta Schedule