A panel of independent experts recommended Victoria as the shortlisted city a meeting held on 4 November 2025 in the Valletta Design Cluster. Malta invited applications on 7 October 2024. Two municipalities, Birgu and Victoria, submitted applications by the deadline of 25 August 2025. 

Once the relevant Maltese authorities endorse the panel's recommendation, the candidate will have until the summer of 2026 to complete their applications. The selection panel will then meet again in Valletta in September 2026 to recommend the Maltese city to become European Capital of Culture in 2031.

So far, Valletta has been the only Maltese city to hold the title, back in 2018. The European Capital of Culture title transformed the city through the development of new cultural venues such as the Design Cluster and the National Community Art Museum.

In 2031, there will also be a European Capital of Culture in Spain, with a pre-selection round taking place in February 2026.

How cities become European Capitals of Culture

The selection process takes place in two rounds: a pre-selection round, which produces a shortlist of candidate cities, followed by a final selection round about nine months later, at the end of which one city is recommended for the title. The recommended city is then officially designated by the Member State concerned.

A panel of 12 independent experts evaluate the applications. The EU’s institutions and bodies appoint ten, and national authorities appoint the other two.

The cities should prepare a cultural programme with a strong European dimension and must have a lasting impact and contribute to the long-term development of the city. The cities must also show that they have the support from the relevant public local authorities and the capacity to deliver the project.

The transformative effect of the European Capitals of Culture

Born in 1985 from an idea of the then Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, the European Capitals of Culture have grown into one of the most ambitious cultural projects in Europe and one of the best known – and most appreciated – initiatives of the EU.

The European Capitals of Culture action offers cities a chance to celebrate cultural diversity, engage communities, create European connections, and promote local and regional development. A recent EU evaluation confirmed its remarkable results, from boosting tourism and cultural activity to fostering social inclusion, international cooperation and a stronger sense of community across Europe.