FA Trophy (Malta) 2025/26

The Maltese FA Trophy, currently known as the Meridianbet FA Trophy, is the primary knockout cup competition in Maltese football. Founded in 1933 following a gift from the English Football Association, it stands as the premier domestic cup distinct from the league system and the Super Cup. Organized by the Malta Football Association (MFA), the tournament operates as an open competition involving all senior clubs from the Maltese and Gozitan football pyramids.

The format relies on a knockout structure that has evolved significantly since a 2011–12 reform. This restructuring broadened participation beyond the top two divisions to include clubs from the National Amateur League and Gozo leagues. In the initial stage, lower-tier clubs from the Gozo First and Second Divisions and the Maltese Third Division enter in the First Round. Winners progress to join higher-ranked sides in the Second Round, with final victors eventually meeting Premier League teams in the Third Round. Seeded entrants, including the previous season’s top three league teams and the reigning cup holders, bypass the earlier stages to enter directly into the Quarter-Finals.

Sliema Wanderers hold the record for success in the competition with 22 titles. They are closely followed by Floriana with 21 titles, while Valletta has secured 15. The winner earns qualification for the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa Conference League and the right to contest the Maltese Super Cup against the league champions. The current trophy, unveiled in 2016 and designed by Thomas Lyte, mirrors the shape of the historical Cassar Cup. The original 1933 trophy remains on display at the MFA Headquarters.