Malta is calling for Australia’s next generation of sporting stars after the Mediterranean isle was announced as host of the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) today.
The eighth edition of the Youth Games will take place from 27 October to 4 November 2027, bringing together athletes aged 14–18 from across the Commonwealth for an inspiring celebration of sport and culture.
With a compelling dual-island concept that features existing world-class facilities, venues will be spread across two main clusters on the islands of Malta and Gozo.
Approximately 1,150 young athletes will come together for Malta 2027, where the sports program will feature athletics and para-athletics, swimming and para-swimming, water polo, netball, triathlon, sailing, squash and weightlifting.
The Games will include the largest Para sport program in Youth Games history, with para-swimming added for the first time, building on the landmark inclusion of para-athletics at Trinidad and Tobago 2023.
Sailing and water polo will also make their debut, in a distinctive eight-sport schedule designed to maximise youth appeal and showcase Malta’s world-class facilities.
Australia dominated the most recent edition in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023, topping the medal tally with 64 medals, including 26 gold and 62 individual medallists.
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) President Ben Houston welcomed the announcement of Malta as host and reaffirmed the value of the Youth Games in developing the country’s future sporting champions.
“The Commonwealth Youth Games play a vital role in developing the next generation of athletes by giving them a unique opportunity to experience international competition in a multi-sport environment,” Houston said.
“For many, it’s their first taste of representing Australia on the global stage, an experience that can shape their future in sport and beyond.
“The Commonwealth Youth Games are an important part of our athlete development pathway, and we look forward to seeing Malta 2027 inspire and elevate our emerging talent.”
Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare hailed Malta’s athlete-first approach, world-class facilities and proven hosting experience as the ideal foundation for a transformative edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games.
“We are thrilled to bring the Commonwealth Youth Games to Malta in 2027 and thank Commonwealth Sport Malta and the Government of Malta for their commitment and vision,” Rukare said.
“The Commonwealth Youth Games are more than a captivating celebration of sport; they are a transformative experience for young athletes. Those that compete are the stars of tomorrow and the voices of today, changemakers who will shape the future of our Movement. We look forward to being on the beautiful island of Malta in 2027.”
The Malta 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games will mark the eighth edition of the event, following previous Games in Edinburgh (2000), Bendigo (2004), Pune (2008), Isle of Man (2011), Samoa (2015), the Bahamas (2017) and Trinidad and Tobago (2023).
