Imperial Esports chooses Malta for new European base
GamingMalta has officially welcomed Imperial Esports to Malta after the organisation chose to base its European headquarters on the island, a move that adds real weight to Malta’s fast-growing esports scene.
The Brazilian organisation, best known for its high-profile Counter-Strike roster, has chosen Malta as the home of its European operations as part of a wider global expansion. Imperial now joins other major names that have already committed to Malta, including FURIA and international tournament organiser BLAST, reinforcing Malta’s growing status as a serious hub for competitive gaming.
GamingMalta reveals the wider impact
Speaking exclusively to SiGMA News, GamingMalta CEO Ivan Filletti said the decision reflects Malta’s rising profile as a destination for global gaming companies.
“Imperial Esports choosing Malta for its European operations is a strong endorsement of our long-term vision to make Malta the home of global gaming ambitions.
“This move elevates our esports ecosystem and strengthens the entire video game industry in Malta, from competitive gaming to development studios and emerging technologies. We are building a future where esports and interactive entertainment thrive side by side.”
Filletti noted that 2025 has been a breakthrough year for the sector, with a growing number of international operators selecting Malta for their European base.
Imperial’s new Maltese home
Imperial has opened a 180 square metre headquarters in Paceville that will serve as the organisation’s main base for its European operations. The space is built for day to day competitive work, with high performance practice rooms, dedicated broadcast areas, and enough capacity for multiple teams to train and produce content at the same time.
It will host bootcamps, local tournaments, content shoots, and partner events with the Malta Esports Association, bringing training, logistics, and production under one roof.
Bruno Silveira, Vice President and CFO at Imperial Esports, said Malta delivered the infrastructure and connectivity needed for the organisation’s next phase of growth.
“The choice of Malta as Imperial’s European base reflects a strategic move,” Silveira said. “Given the growing number of international events taking place in the region, the new facility positions itself as a potential shared base for other organisations and global partners. This strengthens the presence of the competitive gaming community in Europe.”
He added that Malta’s strong air travel links to esports hubs such as the UK, Turkey, Germany, and Serbia were central to the decision.
Imperial plans to have the new headquarters up and running in December this year. The first team through the doors will be the Counter-Strike squad, which is scheduled to hold its pre-Major bootcamp on site.
Momentum for Malta’s esports ecosystem
Filletti said the timing of Imperial’s move fits neatly with the government’s wider push to grow the local gaming and esports sectors. Earlier this year the government committed €60 million to new initiatives across iGaming, esports, talent development, and emerging tech. According to Filletti, organisations like Imperial play a direct role in turning that investment into real activity, jobs, and long-term sector growth.
“This has been an exceptionally strong year for esports in Malta, as we’ve seen a number of high-profile brands make their base here. Malta has already proven itself as the home of gaming excellence, and now we’re extending this success to esports. The island boasts a deep understanding of all gaming verticals, complemented by the support of government, stakeholders and institutions.”
Through our Make it in Malta campaign we continue to promote the strengths that make the island an ideal jurisdiction for gaming and immersive technologies. Our goal is to push this strategy forward in full alignment with Vision 2050.”
Strengthening Malta’s identity as a global gaming hub
Malta’s reputation as a leader in digital gaming has been shaped over two decades, positioning the island at the crossroads of esports, iGaming, media, and technology. With operators increasingly blending competitive gaming with content production and entertainment, Malta is carving out a distinct cross-sector advantage.
Imperial’s move adds a bit of fresh energy to the local scene. Once the facility is fully active, Imperial will become part of the day-to-day rhythm of the industry here, strengthening Malta’s push to position itself as a serious player in global esports and interactive entertainment.
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