Malta made their Eurovision debut in the 1970s but it wasn’t until the 2010s that Malta hosted its first Eurovision contest.
Malta in Eurovision
Malta debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971, but withdrew just a few years later citing the cost of participating. Returning in the 1990s, Malta grew to be a strong contender in the case. The nation is still searching for a Eurovision Song Contest victory.
- 1971 – Joe Grech – “Marija l-Maltija” – 18th – 52 points
- 1972 – Helen and Joseph – “L-imħabba” – 18th – 48 points
- 1975 – Renato – “Singing This Song” – 12th – 32 points
- 1991 – Paul Giordimaina and Georgina – “Could It Be” – 6th – 108 points
- 1992 – Mary Spiteri – “Little Child” – 3rd – 123 points
- 1993 – William Mangion – “This Time” – 8th – 69 points
- 1994 – Moira Stafrace and Christopher Scicluna – “More than Love” – 5th – 97 points
- 1995 – Mike Spiteri – “Keep Me in Mind” – 10th – 76 points
- 1996 – Miriam Christine – “In a Woman’s Heart” – 10th – 68 points
- 1997 – Debbie Scerri – “Let Me Fly” – 9th – 66 points
- 1998 – Chiara – “The One That I Love” – 3rd – 165 points
- 1999 – Times Three – “Believe ‘n Peace” – 15th – 32 points
- 2000 – Claudette Pace – “Desire” – 8th – 73 points
- 2001 – Fabrizio Faniello – “Another Summer Night” – 9th – 48 points
- 2002 – Ira Losco – “7th Wonder” – 2nd – 164 points
- 2003 – Lynn Chircop – “To Dream Again” – 25th – 4 points
- 2004 – Julie and Ludwig – “On Again… Off Again” – 12th – 50 points
- 2005 – Chiara – “Angel” – 2nd – 192 points
- 2006 – Fabrizio Faniello – “I Do” – 24th – 1 point
- 2007 – Olivia Lewis – “Vertigo” – 25th in the Semi-Final – 15 points
- 2008 – Morena – “Vodka” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 38 points
- 2009 – Chiara – “What If We” – 22nd – 31 points
- 2010 – Thea Garrett – “My Dream” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 45 points
- 2011 – Glen Vella – “One Life” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 54 points
- 2012 – Kurt Calleja – “This Is the Night” – 21st – 41 points
- 2013 – Gianluca Bezzina – “Tomorrow” – 8th – 120 points
- 2014 – Firelight – “Coming Home” – 23rd – 32 points
- 2015 – Amber – “Warrior” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 43 points
- 2016 – Ira Losco – “Walk on Water” – 12th – 153 points
- 2017 – Claudia Faniello – “Breathlessly” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 55 points
- 2018 – Christabelle – “Taboo” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 101 points
- 2019 – Michela – “Chameleon” – 14th – 107 points
- 2020 – Destiny – “All of My Love” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Destiny – “Je me casse” – 7th – 255 points
- 2022 – Emma Muscat – “I Am What I Am” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 47 points
- 2023 – The Busker – “Dance (Our Own Party)” – 15th in the Semi-Final – 3 points
- 2024 – Sarah Bonnici – “Loop” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 13 points
- 2025 – Miriana Conte – “Serving” – 17th – 91 points
- 2026 – AIDAN – “Bella” – 18th – 89 points
Malta aired the Eurovision Song Contest from 1964 to 1970 before debuting in 1971, the country also aired the 1974 contest which they did not compete in.
Malta and other Eurovision family events
Malta has been an active participant in a number of Eurovision family events and has seen success in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Eurovision Dance Contest
TVM broadcast the 2008 Eurovision Dance Contest from Glasgow, United Kingdom. Malta did not compete in either of the two editions of the contest.
Eurovision Young Dancers
Malta made their debut in Eurovision Young Dancers in 2015 and competed in two editions of the contest. Malta was due to host the 2017 contest in the open air in June 2017, in January 2017 the broadcaster pulled out of hosting due to “circumstances beyond their control”.
- 2015 – Anthea Zammit
- 2017 – Denise Buttigieg
- 2019 – Signed up to compete but contest cancelled
Eurovision Young Musicians
Malta has competed in three editions of Eurovision Young Musicians to date having debuted in the contest in 2014. Malta’s results are:
- 2014 – Kurt Aquilina (Guitar)
- 2016 – Dmitry Ishkhanov (Piano)
- 2018 – Bernice Sammut Attard (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2020 – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
PBS aired the 2002 contest without competing.
Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières was organised by the European Broadcasting Union between 1965 and 1999, with thirty editions of the show held. The show saw broadcasters send teams to compete in a series of games, each broadcaster hosted one episode. Malta competed in two series of the show in 1994 and 1995.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Malta was one of sixteen countries to compete in the first edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003. The country has won the contest twice in 2013 and 2015, their 2013 victory brought a Eurovision contest to Malta for the first time in 2014.
- 2003 – Sarah Harrison – “Like a Star” – 7th – 56 points
- 2004 – Young Talent Team – “Power of a Song” – 12th – 14 points
- 2005 – Thea and Friends – “Make It Right!” – 16th – 18 points
- 2006 – Sophie Debattista – “Extra Cute” – 11th – 48 points
- 2007 – Cute – “Music” – 12th – 37 points
- 2008 – Daniel Testa – “Junior Swing” – 4th – 100 points
- 2009 – Francesca and Mikaela – “Double Trouble” – 8th – 55 points
- 2010 – Nicole Azzopardi – “Knock Knock!… Boom! Boom!” – 13th – 35 points
- 2013 – Gaia Cauchi – “The Start” – 1st – 130 points
- 2014 (Host) – Federica Falzon – “Diamonds” – 4th – 116 points
- 2015 – Destiny Chukunyere – “Not My Soul” – 1st – 185 points
- 2016 (Host) – Christina Magrin – “Parachute” – 6th – 191 points
- 2017 – Gianluca Cilia – “Dawra tond” – 9th – 107 points
- 2018 – Ela – “Marchin’ On” – 5th – 181 points
- 2019 – Eliana Gomez Blanco – “We Are More” – 19th – 29 points
- 2020 – Chanel Monseigneur – “Chasing Sunsets” – 8th – 100 points
- 2021 – Ike and Kaya – “My Home” – 12th – 97 points
- 2022 – Gaia Gambuzza – “Diamonds in the Skies” – 16th – 43 points
- 2023 – Yulan – “Stronger” – 10th – 94 points
- 2024 – Ramires Sciberras – “Stilla ċkejkna” – 5th – 153 points
- 2025 – Eliza Borg – “I Believe” – 11th – 92 points
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast in Malta:
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image Source: EBU / Thomas Hanses