The preliminary round draws for the BOV Challenge Cup were conducted on Thursday, 15 January, at Centenary Hall, officially setting the wheels in motion for this season’s competition.

A total of 23 clubs will be taking part in this year’s edition, with the 16 BOV Challenge League sides joined by seven teams from the Gozo Football League First Division. The Gozitan representatives are Kercem Ajax FC, Qala Saints FC, Għajnsielem FC, Nadur Youngsters FC, SK Victoria Wanderers FC, Xagħra United and Xewkija Tigers FC.

The expanded format forms part of a collaboration with VisitGozo, aimed at strengthening ties within the football community across the Maltese Islands and providing greater competitive exposure to clubs from both Malta and Gozo.

The competition will begin with the preliminary rounds, where the 16 Challenge League teams will compete in knockout ties to reduce the field to eight. A further round will then determine the four Challenge League sides that will progress to the Quarter-Finals. Meanwhile, the six Gozitan clubs will be paired into three ties, with the winners advancing to the next stage, while the remaining unpaired club will receive a direct berth in the Quarter-Finals.

An open draw will then be held for both the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals, paving the way for the final showdown to decide the winners of the BOV Challenge Cup.

The draw was conducted by Malta FA Match Operations Manager Stewart Said alongside BOV Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius and produced a series of intriguing match-ups as teams begin their quest for silverware.