During the FIFA World Cup 2026, Fortizza in Sliema became much more than a place to watch football. It became a meeting point for supporters, friends, families and visitors who wanted to experience every match together.
As one of Malta’s official TVM Sport Football Village locations, the Sliema venue combined live sport, hospitality and entertainment in one of the island’s most distinctive coastal settings.
Transforming Fortizza into a Football Village
Located along the Sliema seafront, Fortizza provided a unique backdrop for an open-air football experience.
The historic stone surroundings were transformed with a large-format match screen, professional technical infrastructure, branded installations, food and beverage service, partner activations and a combination of picnic-style and lounge seating.
The venue was designed to feel welcoming from the moment guests arrived. During quieter moments, visitors could settle around the tables, order food and drinks and enjoy the waterfront atmosphere. As kick-off approached, the space quickly filled with supporters wearing their national colours and gathering around the main screen.
Every element had to work together, from the positioning of the screen and seating to crowd movement, hospitality service, lighting and partner visibility. The result was a fully integrated event environment that remained comfortable and engaging throughout the tournament.
Football Is Better When It Is Shared
The defining feature of the Sliema Football Village was its atmosphere.
Supporters from different countries gathered in the same space, bringing their shirts, flags, traditions and passion with them. Some arrived in groups to support their national team, while others simply wanted to enjoy the tournament in a lively social setting.
Each match created its own rhythm. There were quiet moments of concentration, nervous reactions as opportunities developed and sudden celebrations when the ball reached the net. The photographs from Fortizza capture that emotional range perfectly, from supporters watching every movement on the screen to entire tables rising together in celebration.
Each match created its own rhythm. There were quiet moments of concentration, nervous reactions as opportunities developed and sudden celebrations when the ball reached the net. The photographs from Fortizza capture that emotional range perfectly, from supporters watching every movement on the screen to entire tables rising together in celebration.
A Complete Matchday Experience
The TVM Sport Football Village was created around more than the match itself.
A dedicated food and beverage area allowed guests to enjoy refreshments without leaving the venue, while branded tables and partner installations became a natural part of the overall environment. Different seating options accommodated both casual visitors and groups looking for a more comfortable matchday experience.
As daylight faded, event lighting brought the historic architecture to life and gave the venue an entirely different character. The illuminated stone walls, active hospitality areas and bright central screen created a distinctive nighttime atmosphere beside the Mediterranean.
Whether guests came for one important fixture or returned throughout the competition, Fortizza offered a place where they could meet, relax and enjoy international football in the company of other supporters.
Bringing People and Partners Together
Large public events depend on many individual components functioning as one experience.
The Sliema Football Village brought together technical production, hospitality, venue operations, crowd management, sponsor integration and live sports broadcasting. Partner branding was incorporated throughout the venue without taking attention away from the matches or the historic setting.
For CYE, the project reflected what successful event production is ultimately about: understanding the location, anticipating how people will use the space and creating an environment that feels natural once the audience arrives.
The strongest event experiences often appear effortless to the guest. Behind that experience is careful planning, coordination and a clear understanding of how every physical and operational detail contributes to the atmosphere.
A Summer of Football at Fortizza
The TVM Sport Football Village at Fortizza demonstrated the power of live sport to bring people together.
Across the tournament, the Sliema venue welcomed passionate supporters and created memorable moments around some of the biggest matches in world football. From the first arrivals in the early evening to the celebrations beneath the night sky, every matchday added another chapter to the experience.
It was football watched together, celebrated together and experienced in a setting that could only be Sliema.
CYE was proud to contribute to an event that transformed a landmark location into a vibrant home for international football and shared experiences.
Planning a public screening, fan zone, corporate gathering or large-scale live event in Malta? CYE brings together creative direction, event production and practical delivery to craft experiences that connect people.
