Imperial Esports opens Malta headquarters as island deepens push into esports
Imperial Esports has opened its European headquarters in Malta, giving the Brazilian organisation a permanent base in a country that has spent years positioning itself as a hub for gaming, iGaming and esports.
Speaking to SiGMA News, Imperial Esports COO Ricardo Bonetti said Malta’s iGaming and betting sector was a key factor behind the move, describing proximity to companies in that space as a “major advantage” for the organisation.
The new 180-square-metre facility in St Julian’s will be used for team training, content production, live broadcasts, competitive management and pre-tournament preparation. It will also support the organisation’s international logistics, including tournaments in Asia, while offering space for boot camps and potentially other teams preparing for competition.
The decision brings another major esports name to Malta at a time when the island is trying to build on its long-established iGaming and betting industry to attract teams, publishers, tournament organisers and digital entertainment companies.
Imperial, best known for its Counter-Strike team, said the base gives it a permanent operational presence in Europe as it expands internationally.
“The iGaming and betting sector is one of the biggest investors in the global esports industry, including our own main sponsor,” Bonetti told SiGMA News. “Being close to companies operating in this ecosystem and having the possibility to attend and participate in industry events more easily represents a major advantage for us.”
“Today, understanding and being connected to the main stakeholders in our industry is no longer a differentiator; it has become a necessity,” he added. “Malta’s ecosystem naturally facilitates these connections and creates an environment where partnerships, innovation, and business opportunities can happen more organically.”
A European base in St Julian’s
Bonetti also explained that the decision was shaped by the demands of international competition and long-term expansion.
“When thinking about our international operations, especially our participation in global tournaments and our long-term expansion plans, having a permanent European base with high-level infrastructure became essential,” Bonetti said.
“We understood that to increase our possibilities for recruiting players, building stronger relationships with sponsors, and staying closer to publishers and tournament organisers, we needed to take this step.”
Bonetti added that Malta’s appeal went beyond geography.
“Malta offers a very mature esports ecosystem, driven by major international events and the strong work GamingMalta has been doing in recent years,” he said. “Beyond that, the local culture, climate, business environment, and Malta’s strategic logistical position connecting Europe and Asia made the decision very natural for us.”
Bonetti also explained that the move was shaped by the demands of international competition and long-term expansion.
“Choosing Malta as Imperial Esports’ European headquarters was a strategic decision driven by the island’s strong connectivity, growing esports ecosystem, and ability to support high-performance operations on a global scale,” he explained.
“More than just an office, this facility will serve as a hub for training, content creation, bootcamps, and international collaboration, helping us strengthen our presence in Europe while also contributing to Malta’s growing position as an important centre for esports and digital entertainment.”
Building closer European ties
Bruno Silveira, Imperial Esports’ CFO, added that Malta would help the organisation build deeper links with Europe’s teams, players and competitions.
“Malta is already recognised as a hub for international tournaments across multiple gaming titles, while also being home to many companies connected to our ecosystem,” Silveira said. “Having an office in Malta means having a real operational presence in Europe, which can create important opportunities and incentives for the organisation.”
He said the local industry also gave Imperial access to people with direct experience in gaming and esports.
“In addition, Malta has many highly experienced professionals within gaming and esports who are helping us strengthen relationships with key industry players,” Silveira said. “Some esports titles are especially strong in Europe, and having a local base makes it significantly easier for us to connect with talent, organisations, publishers, and competitions.”
The St Julian’s site is expected to make it easier for Imperial to recruit and integrate European players, run mid-season training camps and maintain closer contact with commercial partners.
“Having a fixed structure in Europe gives us the ability to organise important training periods and bootcamps during the season while optimising operational costs,” Silveira said. “It also makes the recruitment and integration of European players much easier.”
Beyond competition, Silveira said proximity to partners had already changed the organisation’s day-to-day work.
“Beyond the competitive side, being physically closer to our sponsors and partners has already created a much richer day-to-day exchange, which we consider essential for building long-term projects and international collaborations,” he said.
“The St Julian’s facility will also allow us to develop more content, host activations, welcome partners, and create stronger connections with the European esports community in a way that would have been much harder operating only from Brazil.”
Malta’s gaming economy
For Malta, Imperial’s arrival fits into a broader effort to turn the island’s iGaming reputation into a wider digital entertainment economy. The government has said recent projects across these sectors represent more than €60 million in new investment and 1,300 jobs.
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri described the opening as a sign of confidence in Malta’s strategy.
“Imperial Esports opening their doors here is a vote of confidence in our leadership,” he said. “More importantly, it creates a massive opportunity for our younger generations. We want our youths to look at the esports sector and see real, high-value careers.”
GamingMalta CEO Ivan Filletti said the launch showed Malta was extending its gaming strengths into newer areas of digital entertainment.
“The launch of Imperial Esports’ European base in Malta is yet another strong signal that the island is extending its success in gaming into esports and immersive entertainment,” he said.
The connection with iGaming and betting is also central. Esports teams increasingly rely on commercial partnerships with betting operators, streaming platforms and gaming brands, while Malta remains one of Europe’s most recognisable hubs for online gambling companies.
A long-term play
Imperial’s Malta base is intended not only as a training facility, but also as a commercial and cultural bridge between Brazil, Europe and Asia.
The organisation said the island’s tournament calendar, business climate, local expertise and logistical position made the choice natural. The St Julian’s headquarters will allow Imperial to host activations, produce content and welcome partners in ways that would have been harder from Brazil alone.
For Malta, the opening adds another name to a growing list of international esports and gaming companies using the island as a European base.
For Imperial, it is a bet that being closer to Europe’s teams, players, publishers, sponsors and betting ecosystem will make the organisation more competitive both inside and outside the server.
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