Malta 2027 has announced the dates and venues ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Youth Games, with the Triathlon competitions taking place in Marsalforn Bay. The Malta 2027 Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday 29 October, followed by an action packed six day sport programme from Saturday 30 October to Thursday 4 November.

Malta is expecting to host approximately 1,200 athletes, aged 14-18 from across the Commonwealth’s 74 nations and territories.

Seven world class sport venues spread across the islands of Malta and Gozo will host the six days of action. The eight sports will take place at the following facilities:

·       Cottonera Indoor Pool - Water Polo 4x4

·       Tal-Qroqq National Pool - Swimming and Para Swimming

·       Marsa Athletics Stadium - Athletics and Para Athletics

·       Marsa Sports Centre - Squash and Weightlifting

·       Mellieha Bay - Sailing

·       Gozo Indoor Sports Pavilion - Netball

·       Marsalforn Bay - Triathlon

The Marsa Sports Complex was inaugurated on the 19 January 2026 as part of the Maltese Government’s continuous investment in sport. The multi-million euro investment will assist in launching Malta onto the global sporting stage while also providing a world class facility for the local community.

This also follows the recent opening of the state-of-the-art Gozo Indoor Aquatic and Sports Pavilion a historic moment for the island, and due to play host to Netball teams from across the Commonwealth in 2027. It is the first building of its kind in Gozo, with both an Olympic size swimming pool and other specialised areas for different sports.

Speaking about the Commonwealth Youth Games, Commonwealth Sport Chief Executive Katie Sadleir said: “Malta 2027 promises an electrifying and competitive atmosphere, showcasing the home of Maltese sport. World class facilities will provide our young athletes with a truly transformative experience, helping to inspire and develop the stars of tomorrow. We are looking forward to what will be a fantastic Games.”

Julian Pace Bonello, President of Commonwealth Sport Malta said: “Malta has built a proud legacy in organising high-level international sporting events, consistently delivering competitions that meet the highest standards. Hosting the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2027 is not only an opportunity to showcase Malta on the global stage, but also a powerful platform to inspire the next generation of Maltese athletes. These Games will leave a lasting impact by motivating young talent, strengthening our sporting culture, and reinforcing Malta’s reputation as a trusted host nation.”

Malta’s Minister for Sport, Clifton Grima, said: “The Government’s sustained investment in sport over recent years continues to transform Malta’s sporting landscape. From the development and modernisation of facilities to the inauguration of new, world-class venues, we are creating environments where athletes can train, compete, and excel. The Malta 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games will fully benefit from this vision, utilising state-of-the-art infrastructure that will serve not only the Games but also provide enduring value to local communities and future generations.”

Kai Azzopardi, Trinbago Commonwealth Youth Games Participant said: “Competing at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago was an incredibly valuable experience in my development as an athlete. The level of competition, the international environment, and the opportunity to perform on such a stage provided exposure that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Events like these are vital for young athletes, not only to benchmark themselves against top peers but also to gain confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of what high-performance sport demands. Malta 2027 will be a unique opportunity for many emerging athletes to benefit from that same experience.”

The sporting programme will feature eight sports including: Swimming and Para Swimming, Athletics and Para Athletics, Netball, Sailing, Squash, Triathlon, Water Polo and Weightlifting.

Malta 2027 will host the largest Para sport programme in the competition’s history, building on the landmark inclusion of Para Athletics at the most recent Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago. The Games will also see the debut of Sailing and Water Polo at a Commonwealth Youth Games.

First staged in Edinburgh in 2000, the Commonwealth Youth Games were created to provide unforgettable international competition for young athletes across the Commonwealth and to provide a pathway to support progression to the senior ranks. Since then, more than 6,000 athletes have competed across the Games’ history.

The Commonwealth Youth Games were last held in Trinidad and Tobago in August 2023, marking the largest edition of the event to date.  

2027 hosts Malta will be looking to build on their highest placed finish at Trinbago 2023, achieved by Kai Azzopardi finishing fourth in the Men’s Individual Super Sprint Triathlon.