Two snooker legends will share the table on Friday evening as Malta’s Tony Drago takes on Scotland’s John Higgins in a special exhibition match at the Peace Band Club in Naxxar, marking the celebration of 100 years of snooker at the club.

The event has generated huge excitement among local snooker fans, with tickets selling out within minutes. Higgins, one of the most respected figures in world snooker, enjoys immense popularity in Malta and his appearance alongside Maltese icon Drago promises a memorable evening for everyone attending.

Speaking ahead of the match, Higgins expressed his delight at returning to Malta and reuniting with one of his closest friends on the professional tour.

“I love Tony Drago, as we shared so many memories on the Tour together,” Higgins said. “I am delighted to be here and very pleased to have brought my family with me, as Malta has a special place in my heart.”

Drago, widely known as the Maltese Tornado, thanked the Peace Band Club for the initiative and explained that Higgins was the obvious choice when it came to selecting a guest for such a historic occasion.

“First of all, I would like to thank the Peace Band Club for having us here,” Drago said. “This is a really great idea. When Joseph Galea spoke to me about celebrating 100 years of snooker in Naxxar, there was only one name that came to my mind – John Higgins.

“This club has done so much for snooker in Malta. There are so many great players in the world, but I didn’t want to bring just a great player. I wanted someone who represents greatness, and that is John Higgins.

“We have always enjoyed a great relationship and I am delighted to have him here for this memorable event.”

Peace Band Club president Marlon Brincat explained how the idea for the exhibition first took shape.

“Last year Joe Galea informed me that in 2026 we would be celebrating an important anniversary – 100 years of snooker at our band club – and he suggested trying to bring a top professional player to Malta,” Brincat said.

“My reply was that we should try our best, and that’s when I approached the Minister for Sport Clifton Grima, as his support was crucial to organise such an event. Dr Grima was very helpful in making this happen.”

Brincat added that Drago played a key role in attracting Higgins to Malta.

“Tony immediately started speaking to a lot of people and managed to bring one of the greatest players in the sport to this event. The event was sold out in a matter of minutes and it is very important for us that the main beneficiaries have been our members, who are the heart of our club.”

Sports Minister Clifton Grima praised the initiative, saying the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to celebrate sport alongside two iconic figures of the game.

“I would like to show my gratitude to the Peace Band Club for working so hard to make this event happen,” Grima said. “Seeing so much respect between two great snooker legends is heartwarming and this exhibition is a great opportunity to celebrate sport together.”

For Higgins, the occasion is also a nostalgic return.

“I am delighted to be back in Malta,” he said. “The last time I played here was about 20 years ago and it has always been great to perform here. When Tony Drago spoke to me about the opportunity to come back, I immediately accepted.

“At the moment we have a very busy snooker schedule with tournaments almost every week, but if there was only one person I would have accepted to come for, it was Tony Drago. He is a very special person and a dear friend of mine.”