NEXT Summit Valletta 2027 will take place on May 26–27, 2027, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta. The event is a major European iGaming gathering organised by NEXT.io, bringing together operators, technology and service providers, investors, regulators, startups, media, and other industry professionals. According to the organisers, around 7,000 industry representatives are expected to gather in Valletta for the 2027 event week.
The main summit runs for two days, but the wider NEXT.io programme begins earlier. The 2027 schedule includes specialist events such as NEXT Focus: Affiliate and NEXT Focus: Crypto, as well as golf and padel tournaments, running and wellness activities, networking events, pre-registration, and the iGaming IDOL Awards.
Event program
May 24 - NEXT Focus: Affiliate at The Phoenicia Malta, the NEXT.io Golf Tournament, the iGaming IDOL Awards, and other pre-event activities.
May 25 - NEXT Focus: Crypto, the NEXT.io Padel Tournament, pre-registration, and additional networking and wellness activities.
May 26 - the first day of NEXT Summit Valletta at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, along with the NEXT.io Running Club and the Day 1 networking event.
May 27 - the second day of the main summit, followed by the Day 2 networking event and the Rave Cave closing party.
NEXT Summit Valletta 2027: What to Expect
One of the defining features of NEXT Summit Valletta is the combination of the main conference with a broader programme of industry and networking events. The core conference takes place on May 26–27, while additional activities start on May 24 and continue throughout the week.
The official NEXT Summit page lists operators, suppliers, regulators, startups, media, and VCs among the 2027 attendee groups. This makes the event relevant not only to companies working directly with iGaming products, but also to technology providers, investors, affiliate businesses, and other professional services operating across the sector.
NEXT.io positions Valletta as a meeting point for industry professionals to build business relationships, discuss developments across iGaming, and connect with companies working across different parts of the ecosystem.
NEXT Summit Valletta 2027 Agenda
The full main conference agenda and speaker lineup for 2027 have not yet been published. The official website currently displays a Speakers 2026 section, so last year's speakers should not be treated as confirmed participants for NEXT Summit Valletta 2027.
However, a substantial part of the wider 2027 programme has already been announced.
NEXT Focus: Affiliate
NEXT Focus: Affiliate will take place on May 24 at The Phoenicia Malta from 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The dedicated event brings together affiliates, operators, and technology providers to discuss partnership strategies and the development of affiliate marketing in iGaming.
The programme includes keynotes, panels, and workshops covering topics such as SEO, AI optimisation, compliance, and affiliate partnerships. For affiliate teams, it is one of the most directly relevant parts of the wider NEXT Summit Valletta programme.
NEXT Focus: Crypto
NEXT Focus: Crypto will take place on May 25 at The Phoenicia Malta from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. The half-day programme focuses on the role of digital assets in iGaming, including blockchain-based payments, tokenised loyalty systems, player engagement, and compliance.
The event brings together operators, technology providers, and other industry professionals to examine how crypto and blockchain technologies are affecting payments and other areas of the gaming ecosystem.
Sports and Networking Events
The wider event programme also includes a number of sports and networking activities.
The NEXT.io Golf Tournament will take place on May 24 at the Royal Malta Golf Club. The 2027 format is a Scramble with 40 players.
The NEXT.io Padel Tournament is scheduled for May 25, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced formats. The venue is still to be confirmed.
On May 26, participants can join the NEXT.io Running Club, a 5 km morning run starting at the Barceló Hotel. A Yoga, Breathwork & Ice Bath session is also scheduled for May 25 at the Saluting Battery.
The evening programme includes networking events at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on May 26 and May 27. The week will conclude with the Rave Cave closing party on May 27, running from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am.
NEXT Summit Valletta 2027: Dates and Format
The key dates for the 2027 event are:
May 24 - NEXT Focus: Affiliate, the NEXT.io Golf Tournament, and the iGaming IDOL Awards.
May 25 - NEXT Focus: Crypto, NEXT.io Padel Tournament, pre-registration, Yoga & Breathwork with Ice Bath, and additional networking activities.
May 26 - first day of NEXT Summit Valletta, including the morning Running Club and evening networking event.
May 27 - second day of the summit, followed by the Day 2 networking event and the Rave Cave closing party.
The official dress code for the event is primarily Business Casual.
Who Attends NEXT Summit Valletta?
The 2027 attendee groups listed by NEXT.io include operators, suppliers, regulators, startups, media, and venture capital firms.
Previous editions have attracted an international audience. In 2024, the event recorded more than 5,000 registered attendees from over 75 countries, with 34% of delegates travelling from abroad. The conference featured 276 speakers.
In 2025, organisers reported more than 6,000 iGaming professionals and expanded the programme with dedicated areas covering affiliate marketing, marketing, technology, HR, workplace wellness, and investment.
For affiliate teams and media buyers, the event offers opportunities to connect with operators, technology companies, and other industry professionals, while the dedicated affiliate programme provides a more focused environment for discussing performance marketing and partnership strategies.
Networking at NEXT Summit Valletta
Networking is a major part of the NEXT Summit format. Alongside meetings at the conference and exhibition spaces, NEXT.io runs a dedicated programme of social and business events throughout the week.
The first official networking event is scheduled for May 26 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The second takes place on May 27 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the venue's Grand Harbour Terrace. Access depends on the type of event pass.
This format allows attendees to combine conference sessions with more informal meetings throughout the week. For professionals working in traffic acquisition, affiliate marketing, and iGaming technology, the event also provides an opportunity to discuss potential partnerships directly with industry representatives.
Venue: Mediterranean Conference Centre
The Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) is located at the tip of the Valletta peninsula at Triq l-Isptar, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1645. The historic 16th-century building has been modernised for contemporary events and overlooks the Grand Harbour.
The venue's main auditorium, Republic Hall, can accommodate 1,400 people, while La Valette Hall can host up to 900 guests for banquets. The conference centre also features modern audiovisual infrastructure and a range of event facilities.
The MCC has hosted previous editions of NEXT Summit Valletta. In 2024, organisers reported that the event became the largest in the venue's 50-year history, with more than 5,000 registered attendees.
NEXT Summit Valletta 2027 Tickets
NEXT.io is already accepting interest in tickets for NEXT Summit Valletta 2027, although current ticket prices are not displayed on the main event page. The official ticket page currently directs users to the organiser for ticket-related enquiries.
The price of individual passes and the access conditions for networking events, specialist sessions, and premium activities should therefore be checked directly with the organiser before registration.
NEXT.io also recommends planning accommodation in advance through its Hotel Planner Portal.
History of NEXT Summit Valletta
NEXT Summit Valletta has developed into a major international iGaming event in Malta, with its audience and programme expanding across successive editions.
In 2024, the fifth edition surpassed 5,000 registered attendees for the first time. The event featured eight conference tracks and two exhibition areas, with 276 speakers taking part. Attendees came from more than 75 countries.
According to an economic impact assessment by KPMG published by NEXT.io in 2025, NEXT Summit Valletta 2024 generated €18.2 million in total economic impact for the local economy. Of this amount, €16.2 million was attributed to direct, indirect, and induced attendee spending, while €1.9 million represented the operational expenditure associated with organising the event.
In 2025, the sixth edition took place on May 7–8 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Organisers expected more than 6,000 iGaming professionals and expanded the programme with new thematic tracks and additional events.
In 2026, NEXT Summit Valletta took place on May 27–28. NEXT.io positioned the event as an operator-focused iGaming conference, reporting an expected operator attendance share of around 40% and an audience of approximately 6,000 delegates.
In 2027, NEXT Summit Valletta will take place on May 26–27, with the organisers expecting around 7,000 industry representatives in Valletta for the wider event week.
Organiser: NEXT Summit Valletta
NEXT.io is an international iGaming media and events platform covering industry news, analysis, and professional events. Its portfolio includes NEXT Summit Valletta, NEXT Summit New York, NEXT Retreats, and other industry-focused formats.
NEXT.io also organises specialist events focused on areas such as affiliate marketing, crypto, investment, and emerging iGaming verticals.
NEXT.io was co-founded by Pierre Lindh, who serves as Managing Director. The company has positioned NEXT Summit Valletta as one of its flagship events and has continued to expand its programme and wider event ecosystem.
Why NEXT Summit Valletta Matters to iGaming Professionals
NEXT Summit Valletta combines several formats within a single event week: a two-day main summit, specialist NEXT Focus events, networking sessions, sports activities, and evening events.
For operators and suppliers, this creates an opportunity to combine conference sessions with direct meetings and networking across an international iGaming audience. Affiliate teams can also benefit from the dedicated NEXT Focus: Affiliate programme, which covers areas such as SEO, AI optimisation, compliance, and partnership strategies.
Professionals working across regulated markets can also use the event to follow discussions around compliance, technology, and the development of international iGaming. Depending on their area of expertise, additional context can be found in materials covering iGaming GEOs, attribution, and affiliate programmes.
