The Brazilian esports organisation has now launched its European training facility in St Julian’s, strengthening Malta’s position as a growing base for esports operations.
Imperial Esports, a prominent Brazilian esports organisation, has officially inaugurated its European headquarters and training facility in St Julian’s, marking a new stage in the organisation’s international expansion. The studio, which is best known for its Counter Strike team, joins a growing number of major esports and gaming brands that have made Malta their top strategic choice for European operations.
The new 180 metre-squared facility situated in one of the island’s busiest commercial and entertainment areas has been designed as a high-performance base for team training, content creation, live broadcasts, competitive management, and pre-tournament preparation. The new European headquarters will also support Imperial Esports’ international competition logistics, including activity connected to tournaments in Asia, besides providing space for bootcamps and preparation by other teams and organisations. The facility is also expected to host local tournaments and the Malta eSports Association.
The establishment of such international bases reflects the Government’s proactive strategy, initiated in 2019, to cultivate esports and video game development and as new economic niches. Today, various local and foreign companies are actively operating from Malta within these fields. In recent months, the Government has announced eight new projects across these sectors, representing over €60 million in new investments and the creation of 1,300 new jobs. With the development of these niches, the Government continues to diversify the local economy while generating specialised, future-proof career opportunities for Maltese youths.
Speaking about the opening, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise, and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri stated: “Imperial Esports opening their doors here is a vote of confidence in our leadership. 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. By bringing global leaders to Malta, we are giving local talent the chance to work and develop alongside the best in the industry. This is the core of Malta Vision 2050: keeping our talent here by bringing global opportunities straight to our shores.”
GamingMalta CEO Ivan Filletti also congratulated Imperial Esports, stating: “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. Our Make it in Malta campaign continues to promote the real advantages that Malta offers companies that want to build, scale, and connect from a serious European base. Imperial’s presence adds further depth to the ecosystem, especially because the facility will also potentially serve other organisations preparing for international competition.”
Ricardo Bonetti, COO of Imperial Esports, also highlighted why Malta was selected as the organisation’s European base: “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. 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. From the beginning, we felt strongly supported by the local ecosystem and institutions, and we are excited to build a long-term project together with Malta.”
The opening also reinforces Malta’s wider positioning as a natural meeting point for players, creators, teams, tournament organisers, and global partners. Malta is already a significant player on the international esports circuit, with global gaming and entertainment companies using the island as a base for European activity. Imperial’s headquarters adds to that momentum, giving the island another concrete piece of the high value, digital, talent-driven economy set out in Malta Vision 2050.
