MDB supports the National Football Centre at Ta’ Qali

The Malta Development Bank has supported the construction and completion of the new National Football Centre at Ta’ Qali, a major investment in Malta’s sporting infrastructure and in the long-term development of Maltese football. 

The National Football Centre was officially inaugurated during the Malta Football Association’s 125th anniversary celebrations and forms part of the Association’s wider vision to strengthen football in Malta across all levels of the game, from grassroots and youth football to women’s football, clubs and national teams. 

MDB assisted the project through a €5 million soft loan, complementing a major grant provided by the National Development and Social Fund. The financing supported the completion of a multi-million-euro facility that now serves as a central technical and logistical hub for Malta’s national teams. 

Located at the Malta FA Training Grounds in Ta’ Qali, the Centre includes a 400-seater Category 1 stadium compliant with UEFA requirements, medical and sports science facilities, a gymnasium, player recovery and relaxation areas, administrative offices, conference facilities and other supporting spaces. The Malta FA Technical Centre’s operations and the logistics of the national teams are also being relocated to the new building, allowing the facility to serve as a dedicated hub for the technical sector. 

Speaking at the official opening, MDB Chairperson Leo Brincat said the Centre represents much more than modern facilities and high-quality grounds. He described it as a symbol of strategic investment in young people, communities and national aspirations, and as an example of the kind of social infrastructure that can create value for generations. 

Mr Brincat said the project reflects the core purpose of the Malta Development Bank as Malta’s only national development bank: to finance sustainable development projects and infrastructure with a clear social impact, particularly projects of national importance that build long-term capacity and strengthen the country. 

MDB Chief Executive Officer Alison Micallef said the Bank’s support for the National Football Centre reflects its commitment to investments that deliver lasting social and economic value for Malta. 

“This Centre is an investment in young people, healthier communities, inclusion and Malta’s long-term sporting potential. As Malta’s national development bank, our role is to support projects where the impact goes beyond the immediate investment and creates lasting value for the country,” Ms Micallef said. 

The Centre is expected to support player development, coach education, talent scouting, national team preparation and inclusivity programmes, while also contributing to Malta’s potential as a destination for sports tourism and international football activity. 

For MDB, the project reflects the type of development finance it was set up to provide: support for initiatives that strengthen national capacity, generate clear social impact and create opportunities for present and future generations. 

Through its support for the National Football Centre, MDB continues to deliver on its mandate to finance projects of national importance that contribute to a more resilient, inclusive and forward-looking Malta.

MFA President Bjorn Vassallo, and MDB Chairperson Leo Brincat

MDB Chairperson Leo Brincat and CEO Alison Micallef visiting the newly inaugurated National Football Centre, in the presence of Minister Byron Camilleri and NSDF CEO Ray Ellul

The newly inaugurated National Football Centre, photo courtesy of the MFA

The façade of the National Football Centre, photo courtesy of the Department of Information