Board game groups in Malta are easier to find than most newcomers expect. There is a non-profit wargaming and roleplaying club in Floriana, a dedicated games shop with open tables in Qormi, publisher-run meetups in Msida and casual sessions in Sliema. The harder part is usually the first step: walking into a room of people who already know each other and asking if you can join a game.
This guide from the MeetNow team lists the established options we could verify and explains how to pick one that suits you. It also shows how a small board game plan on MeetNow works, for when you would rather start with a table of three or four people you chose yourself.
Everything below is meant to be practical. Where we name a group, we link the source we used. Schedules, venues and entry details change, so check each organiser’s own page before you set off.
Which board game groups in Malta can you join?
The Maltese tabletop scene has a mix of clubs, shops and informal meetups. Each one has a slightly different feel, so it helps to know what you are walking into.
W.A.R.S. (Wargames And Roleplaying Society), Floriana
W.A.R.S. is a non-profit club based in Floriana with an established physical board game library, and it is described as a staple of the Maltese tabletop scene (imxi.mt). It suits you best if you are into miniatures, Warhammer, historical wargames or roleplaying games. It is also a good choice if you simply want to browse a large shelf of games before you decide what you enjoy.
Pandamonium, Qormi
Pandamonium is a dedicated board game shop and club space in Qormi with open tables. It runs scheduled board game sessions and learn-to-play sessions for wargames and Dungeons & Dragons (imxi.mt). The learn-to-play format is useful if you have always wanted to try a roleplaying game but did not know where to start.
Mighty Boards meetups, Msida
Mighty Boards, a local game publisher, hosts open board game sessions, often at the University of Malta’s Institute of Digital Games. There you can drop in, try out various games and meet local players (imxi.mt). Because of the campus setting, it is a natural fit for students. Our guide to low-cost plans for students in Malta has more ideas in the same spirit.
PlayUp Malta
PlayUp Malta is a community organiser dedicated to tabletop gaming. It hosts regular board game sessions, tabletop RPG adventures and murder mystery events. If you like games with a story, or you want an organised event rather than an open table, start here.
Boardgames in Sliema (Meetup group)
Boardgames in Sliema is an active group on Meetup. It hosts regular, casual get-togethers, often at local cafés in Sliema. There are typically no entry fees, anyone is welcome, and you can bring your own games or join whatever others are playing. If Sliema is your usual area, our page on how MeetNow plans work in Sliema explains how to set up smaller plans nearby.
Quick comparison
| Group | Area | Best for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| W.A.R.S. | Floriana | Wargames, miniatures, RPGs, a large game library | imxi.mt |
| Pandamonium | Qormi | Open tables, learn-to-play sessions | imxi.mt |
| Mighty Boards meetups | Msida | Trying new games, meeting local players | imxi.mt |
| PlayUp Malta | Various | Organised events, RPGs, murder mysteries | playupmalta.com |
| Boardgames in Sliema | Sliema | Casual drop-in play, bring your own game | meetup.com |
Details change over time. Check each organiser’s own page for the latest schedule and any entry costs before you go.
How to choose a group that suits you
The right group depends less on the games and more on how you like to spend an afternoon or evening. Ask yourself a few questions before you pick one.
- What do you want to play? Heavy strategy games, party games, wargames and roleplaying campaigns attract different crowds. A club with a library suits explorers. A learn-to-play session suits complete beginners.
- How big a crowd do you want? A busy open session is great for variety but can feel loud if you are shy. A table of three or four is easier for real conversation.
- Drop-in or commitment? Casual meetups let you come when you like. RPG campaigns usually expect you to return for each session.
- How will you get there and back? Look at where the group meets and plan your own way home before you commit to a regular slot.
- What does it cost? Some groups have no entry fee, while shops and organised events may charge. Check the organiser’s page rather than assuming.
Many people try two or three board game groups in Malta before settling on one. That is normal. You do not owe a group a second visit if it did not feel right.
How a board game plan works on MeetNow
Established groups are a great entry point. Sometimes, though, you want a specific game, a quieter table or a place close to home. That is where a MeetNow plan fits in. MeetNow is about plans, not profiles, and it is not a dating app. You post what you want to do, and people who want to do it ask to join.
- Post the plan. The host picks a real public place, such as a café with large tables. They set the date, time and number of seats, and add which game or games they are bringing.
- Say who pays. Choose host pays, split, pay your own or free, so nobody is surprised at the table.
- People ask to join. Anyone interested sends a short note, for example: “I have played this twice and would love a rematch.”
- The host decides. The host accepts or declines each request. Hosts can also limit who joins by gender or age range and block users. Our article on choosing who can join your plan covers these settings step by step.
- Group chat. Accepted guests get a group chat to sort out details such as who brings which expansion.
- Confirm “we met”. After the plan, both sides confirm they met. This builds each person’s track record over time.
A MeetNow plan does not replace the clubs above. Many players use both: a big open session to discover games, and smaller plans to keep playing with the people they clicked with.
Board game plan examples around Malta
Board games sit comfortably alongside the other popular plans in Malta, such as coffee, dinner, drinks, padel, running and beach days. They also work well for people who find small talk tiring, because the game gives everyone something to focus on. Here are some example plans to show the format. The seat numbers are suggestions, not rules.
| Plan | Type of place | Seats | Who pays | Note for joiners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend afternoon strategy game | Café in Sliema with big tables | Three | Pay your own | Rules take about ten minutes to explain, so beginners are welcome |
| Party games for first-timers | Café or lounge in Valletta | Five | Pay your own | Light games, lots of laughing, no experience needed |
| Coffee and a two-player game | Seafront café in St Paul’s Bay | One | Split | Quiet morning, one game, then a walk if we feel like it |
| Card game in the open air | Public park or seafront bench area | Three | Free | Small card game, easy to pack, nothing to buy |
| Playtesting a game I designed | Café near the university in Msida | Four | Host pays | I cover your coffee in exchange for honest feedback |
If you live in the north
Many of the established groups meet around the Harbour area. If you want to meet people in St Paul’s Bay, Malta, a short plan at a public café close to home is often simpler than travelling across the island. A small game and a coffee is a low-pressure way to start. Our article on meeting new people for coffee in Malta has more tips on choosing a good café for a first meet-up.
Writing a good plan description
- Name the game and say how long it usually takes.
- Say whether you will teach the rules.
- Mention if guests should bring anything, such as a favourite game or a deck of cards.
- Keep it short and friendly. People decide quickly whether a plan is for them.
Who pays at a board game plan?
Board games are often cheap to play, but the venue matters. If you sit at a café table for two hours, it is fair for everyone to order something. On MeetNow, the host chooses one of four options when posting the plan:
- Host pays: the host covers the agreed items, for example a round of coffees.
- Split: the bill is shared evenly between everyone at the table.
- Pay your own: each person orders and pays for what they have.
- Free: there is nothing to pay, which works for plans in a public park or similar open space.
MeetNow does not handle payments in the app. You settle up at the venue as you normally would. For more detail and examples, read who pays on a MeetNow plan.
Safety when you play with new people
Safety box: meeting new people for a game
- Meet in a public place. Choose a café, lounge or club space with other people around, not a private home, for any first meeting.
- Tell a friend. Share where you are going, who you are meeting and roughly when you expect to leave.
- Plan your own way home. Know your bus route, taxi option or parking before you arrive, so you never depend on a stranger for a lift.
- Leave if you feel uncomfortable. You can stop mid-game. A simple “I need to head off, thanks for the game” is enough.
- Use the tools. Hosts can limit who joins and block users. Keep plan details in the group chat until you have met.
These habits apply whether you join one of the board game groups in Malta or host a small table yourself. Established clubs have their own house rules too, so it is worth reading them on your first visit.
Tips for your first session
Walking into your first session is the part most people worry about. A few small habits make it much easier.
- Say you are new. Regulars are usually glad to explain the rules to someone who is upfront about it.
- Start with a shorter game. A thirty-minute game lets you meet several people instead of committing to one long game at one table.
- Bring a small game if you have one. It gives you an easy opener: “Anyone fancy a quick round of this?”
- Treat library games with care. Clubs with shared collections rely on everyone putting pieces back properly.
- Respect the table. If a game is mid-way, wait for a natural break before asking to join.
- Swap contacts on your terms. If you enjoyed playing with someone, suggest another game. You decide how much you share.
If you are new to the island, board games are one of the gentlest ways to build a social circle, because nobody expects you to perform. Our guide for expats meeting people in Malta covers other low-pressure ways to settle in.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins. It is launching in Malta first and is not in the App Store or Google Play yet: join the MeetNow waitlist and we’ll email you when it launches near you.
Frequently asked questions
Are board game groups in Malta free to join?
It depends on the group. The Boardgames in Sliema meetup typically has no entry fees, while shops, clubs and organised events may charge. Always check the organiser’s own page before you go.
Do I need to bring my own games?
No. Many groups have games to borrow or let you join whatever others are playing, and some clubs have a large shared library. Bringing a small game you know well can still help you start a conversation.
Can I host a board game plan at my home on MeetNow?
MeetNow plans are posted at public places, such as a café with large tables or a public park. Meeting in public is safer for everyone, especially when you are playing with people for the first time.
Is MeetNow a dating app?
No. MeetNow is built around plans, not profiles. You join because you want to play the game or do the activity, and the host chooses who comes based on a short note.
Is MeetNow available on iPhone and Android?
MeetNow is free and coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. It is launching in Malta first, and you can join the waitlist on the MeetNow website to get an email when it launches near you.
