The Malta Polo Club (MPC), established in 1868, has formally filed a Judicial Protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court against Marsa Race Track Limited (concessionaire) and various government authorities. The legal action comes in response to repeated failures by the concessionaire to meet its obligations, threatening the survival of a sport that has been part of Maltese heritage for over 150 years.
Failure to Meet Deadlines:
Central to the protest is the concessionaire’s failure to adhere to the agreed-upon project timelines. Under the terms of the redevelopment, the Main Race Track resurfacing and the Polo Pitch were scheduled for completion by October 2025. Regarding the Polo Pitch, as of February 2026, little to no work has been done, with the developer having fallen significantly behind on holistic project objectives. On the contrary, our only playable pitch has been used as a dumping site, resulting in a whole polo season of our beloved horses standing idle.
Key Demands of the Malta Polo Club:
The Judicial Protest highlights several critical areas where the developer and authorities have failed to provide necessary guarantees:
International Technical Standards: The Club insists that the new polo pitch must be built to international specifications as recommended by world-renowned experts, Battro Polo Fields. This includes a high-specification grass surface, which the developer has recently failed to guarantee.
Essential Infrastructure: There is a total lack of concrete planning regarding the irrigation system, water supply to reservoirs, and the design of the flood lighting system.
Club House Handover: The developer has failed to provide a firm date for the handing over of the Club House, which is crucial for the Club’s daily operations.
Lack of Formal Agreement: Despite years of attempts, the Club has been unable to reach a finalised agreement with Marsa Race Track Limited to formalise their relationship during and after the project’s completion.
Protecting a National Legacy:
The Malta Polo Club is the second oldest of its kind in the world and has hosted historical figures such as Winston Churchill and HM King Charles III, and Maltese Presidents and Prime Ministers thereafter. Beyond its heritage, the Club is a non-profit organisation that raises significant funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund.
The MPC is calling on the Government of Malta and the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure that Marsa Race Track Limited honours its commitments. Should the developer fail to deliver, the Club demands that the concession be revoked in accordance with the established legal terms.
