Malta to host seventh edition of EAP Malta International athletics meeting

Malta will welcome athletes from across the globe on 13 June when the seventh edition of the EAP Malta International takes place at the Matthew Micallef St John Athletics Stadium in Marsa.

The event has become one of Malta's leading athletics meetings and is recognised as a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger Meeting, making it an important fixture on the international athletics calendar.

Organised by Pembroke Athleta, the competition is expected to attract more than 170 foreign athletes, alongside a strong contingent of Maltese competitors. Participants will compete for valuable World Athletics ranking points that contribute towards qualification for major international championships.

Since its launch in 2019, the EAP Malta International has grown significantly in stature. The first edition attracted 57 foreign athletes, while the 2025 meeting drew 162 international competitors and more than 180 Maltese athletes.

The event's technical standard has also improved steadily. Organisers said the meeting's World Athletics ranking rose from 878 place in 2022 to 340 place in 2025 among more than 1,500 athletics meetings worldwide.

"The EAP Malta International continues to strengthen its reputation as an international athletics event of a high standard," organisers said. "Its inclusion on the World Athletics calendar and Continental Tour Challenger status reflects the quality of competition and organisation that the event has achieved."

Athletes from numerous countries across Europe, Africa and beyond are expected to compete in a full programme of track and field events, providing Maltese athletes with the opportunity to test themselves against international competition without leaving the country.

Among the notable international athletes expected to compete are Switzerland's Felix Svensson in the 200m, Gabon's Guy Maganga Gorra in the sprint events, Romania's Alexandru Sorin Voinea in the 400m and Germany's Sina Mayer in the 100 and 200m.

The Maltese contingent will include national champions Graham Pellegrini, Matthew Galea Soler and Claire Azzopardi.

Competition begins on Friday evening with the 5,000m races, before a full track and field programme takes place on Saturday from 3pm to 8pm.

Organisers said the event continues to play an important role in promoting Malta as a destination for international sport and thanked sponsors, volunteers, technical officials, SportMalta, Visit Malta and other stakeholders for their support.

Entrance to the event is free.