PLAYCON 2025: Malta’s Gaming And Tech Festival Returns For Its Fifth Edition

A Power-Packed Five-Day Lineup

8th to 9th October will kick off with the Playcon Summit and Business Networking Events, where industry leaders, investors and developers connect to discuss the future of gaming.

Then, on 9th and 10th October, over 5,000 students are expected to visit for exclusive educational sessions, workshops and hands-on activities designed to inspire the next generation of game developers and esports pros.

The excitement continues on Friday, 10th October when the expo opens its doors from 6:30pm to 10pm for Mythic Pass holders only. Offering a calmer, more exclusive evening packed with entertainment, special performances and sneak previews.

Finally, the weekend (11th to 12th October, 10:30am–7pm) opens to the general public, with free entry and something for everyone. From family-friendly experiences to competitive esports tournaments and jaw-dropping cosplay showcases.

Big Names, Bigger Ideas: Playcon Summit 2025

This year’s Playcon Summit promises a stellar lineup of keynote speakers and mentors from across the gaming world, including:

• Jason Della Rocca, Co-Founder of Execution Labs and Venture Partner at Griffin Gaming Partners

• Representatives from Unity and Unreal Engine, sharing insights on cutting-edge game development tools

• BLAST, one of the world’s biggest esports organisations, offering a deep dive into the global esports ecosystem

Local game studios will also benefit from mentorship opportunities, guidance sessions and the chance to pitch their games to international publishers, a huge opportunity for Malta’s fast-growing dev scene.

Public Expo: Games, Esports & Cosplay Galore

Over the weekend, the MFCC will turn into an interactive wonderland for gamers of all ages.

Expect high-energy esports tournaments in crowd favourites like Counter-Strike 2, EA FC, League of Legends, Tekken and Sim Racing, many taking place on an impressive 40-metre main stage.

The Cosplay Competition on Saturday afternoon will showcase the island’s most creative costume artists, with adults and children bringing iconic game characters to life through detailed costumes and performances. Workshops and meet-and-greets with well-known cosplay stars will add even more flair to the day.

For those who prefer hands-on fun, the Free-to-Play areas will feature everything from new indie releases by local studios to VR experiences and retro gaming zones. Fans can even explore educational titles like Minecraft Education by Microsoft, a perfect way for kids to play, learn and develop logical thinking through gaming.

B2B Summit: Connecting the Global Gaming Industry

The first two days of PLAYCON are dedicated to the B2B Summit, a professional hub for developers, investors and publishers.

Powered by the Meet-To-Match networking platform, the summit will feature masterclasses, funding discussions and talks on sustainable studio growth led by international experts, including Jason Della Rocca himself.

For local game creators, it’s an unmissable chance to connect with potential partners and investors while gaining real-world insights into the ever-evolving gaming landscape.

There’ll also be interactive workshops, live streams and meet-and-greets with influencers and streamers, keeping the content flowing both online and off.

Education Takes the Stage

Education remains at the heart of PLAYCON. On 9th and 10th October, thousands of students will take part in tailored programs designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry innovation.

From game development tutorials to esports strategy sessions, students will get hands-on experience and direct exposure to professionals shaping the future of gaming.

Five Years of Growth and Innovation

PLAYCON’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

• Attendance has skyrocketed from 8,000 in 2019 to over 25,000 in 2024

• The event floor expanded from 2,500 sqm to 7,600 sqm

• Online reach exploded from 2 million impressions in 2019 to over 24 million in 2024

• The number of exhibiting companies grew from 35 to more than 60

Now, as PLAYCON celebrates its fifth edition, the team is pulling out all the stops to deliver an experience that reflects Malta’s growing reputation as a Mediterranean hub for esports, tech and game production.

Mark Your Calendars

From exclusive B2B sessions and student showcases to esports clashes, cosplay spectacles and family-friendly fun. PLAYCON 2025 is set to be Malta’s most dynamic, inclusive and future-focused gaming event to date.

So whether you’re here to network, compete or just vibe with fellow gamers, this is where Malta levels up.

For full details and registration, visit the website. 

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