Handball 2026–2027: The Complete Guide to Upcoming Competitions
The handball calendar is packed with world-class events from late 2026 through 2027. From the historic Women's EHF EURO co-hosted by five nations to the expanded EHF Champions League with 24 teams and the 2027 IHF World Championship in Germany, here's everything fans need to mark in their diaries.
Key takeaways:
- Women's EHF EURO 2026: First-ever 5-nation co-host (Poland, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, Turkey) from 3–20 December 2026
- EHF Champions League 2026/27: New 24-team format with 6 groups, launching 9 September 2026
- IHF Men's World Championship 2027: 32 teams in Germany, 13–31 January 2027, with Germany opening against Tunisia in Munich
- IHF Women's World Championship 2027: Hungary hosts, 30 November – 19 December 2027
- Youth tournaments: U18 Women in Romania (Jul–Aug 2026), U16 Women in Morocco (Oct 2026), U21 Men in Norway (Jun–Jul 2027)
Women's EHF EURO 2026: A Historic Five-Nation Festival
For the first time in European handball history, five nations will co-host a single championship. From 3 to 20 December 2026, Poland, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, and Turkey will welcome 24 of Europe's best women's national teams.
The tournament unfolds across six iconic cities: Katowice (Poland), Cluj-Napoca and Oradea (Romania), Brno (Czechia), Bratislava (Slovakia), and Antalya (Turkey). The final weekend — semi-finals, placement matches, and the grand final — will take place on 20 December in Katowice.
Norway enters as the dominant force in women's European handball, having won 10 of the 16 previous editions. Denmark (3 titles), France, Hungary, and Montenegro complete the list of past champions. With 24 teams divided into six preliminary round groups, the competition promises intense battles from day one.
Group A in Oradea features Hungary, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Iceland. Group B in Cluj-Napoca pits host Romania against powerhouse Norway, Switzerland, and North Macedonia. Group C in Antalya sees Denmark, Spain, Turkey, and Greece. The Netherlands, Czechia, Austria, and Croatia form Group D in Brno. France leads Group E in Katowice alongside Poland, Faroe Islands, and Ukraine. Finally, Group F in Bratislava brings together Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, and Serbia.
Tickets are already on sale across all host cities, with prices starting from affordable day-ticket rates. The five-host format not only spreads the economic and cultural benefits but also brings elite women's handball to new audiences across Central and Eastern Europe.
EHF Champions League 2026/27: The New Era Begins
The 2026/27 season marks a watershed moment for European club handball. The EHF Champions League Men expands from 16 to 24 teams, introducing a revolutionary new format designed to increase competitiveness and broadcast appeal.
The competition kicks off on 9 and 10 September 2026. The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four, playing home-and-away round-robin matches. The top two from each group advance to a main round of two groups of six, while third and fourth-placed teams drop into the EHF European League.
The main round runs through early 2027, with the top four from each group qualifying for the quarter-finals. The eventual winners advance to the EHF FINAL4 in Cologne — the spiritual home of club handball — where a new champion will be crowned on 13 June 2027.
Defending champions Barça headline Group E alongside Montpellier Handball, CS Dinamo Bucuresti, and Danish newcomers SAH Aarhus. Runners-up Füchse Berlin face One Veszprém HC, FC Porto, and RK Partizan AdmiralBet in Group A. Other standout groups include Paris Saint-Germain and Aalborg Håndbold in Group C, and a German derby between SC Magdeburg and Kolstad Handball in Group F.
On the women's side, the EHF Champions League Women 2026/27 launches on 5 and 6 September 2026 with 16 teams across two groups of eight. Confirmed participants include defending champions Györi Audi ETO KC, Team Esbjerg, Brest Bretagne Handball, Metz Handball, and newcomers BV Borussia Dortmund.
IHF Men's World Championship 2027: Germany's Winter Fairy Tale
Exactly 20 years after Germany's historic 2007 World Championship triumph, the country hosts the 30th IHF Men's World Championship from 13 to 31 January 2027. Six venues — Munich, Kiel, Stuttgart, Magdeburg, Hanover, and Cologne — will stage the 32-team tournament.
The draw held in June 2026 revealed fascinating group stage matchups. Germany opens against Tunisia on 13 January at the SAP Garden in Munich, followed by Uruguay on 15 January and Serbia on 17 January. Group C in Munich features a blockbuster clash between Spain and Croatia, alongside Chile and Turkey.
Other groups promise equally compelling narratives. France faces Brazil, Argentina, and Kuwait in Group D. Sweden, Norway, Greece, and Qatar form Group E. Denmark, Slovenia, Angola, and the United States make up Group G. Portugal, Poland, Faroe Islands, and Algeria headline Group F.
The top three from each of the eight groups advance to the main round, with the knockout phase culminating in the final on 31 January 2027. Ticket demand has been extraordinary, with German group stage matches and the Cologne knockout sessions already sold out for general admission.
For Germany, the tournament carries special significance. The 2007 "winter fairy tale" — when Germany won their first (and only) World title on home soil — remains one of the most celebrated moments in the nation's sporting history. Can the current generation write a new chapter?
Youth and Emerging Competitions
The handball calendar isn't just about senior tournaments. Several youth and emerging competitions will showcase the next generation of stars.
The 11th IHF Women's Youth (U18) World Championship takes place in Romania from 29 July to 9 August 2026. This tournament has historically been a launching pad for future superstars, with many current senior national team players having made their international breakthroughs at this level.
In October 2026, Morocco hosts the inaugural IHF Women's U16 World Championship in Agadir from 15 to 24 October. As the first-ever U16 global tournament, this event represents a significant investment by the IHF in developing women's handball at the grassroots level.
The 4th IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship returns to Granollers, Spain, from 14 to 20 September 2026. Wheelchair handball continues to grow in popularity and competitive quality, with this championship expected to set new standards for the discipline.
Looking ahead to 2027, the 26th IHF Men's Junior (U21) World Championship will be held in Norway from 23 June to 4 July. Norway's emergence as a handball powerhouse makes this a particularly fitting host nation for the next generation of male talent.
IHF Women's World Championship 2027: Hungary's Moment
Closing the 2027 calendar, the 28th IHF Women's World Championship will be held in Hungary from 30 November to 19 December 2027. Hungary, a nation with deep handball traditions and passionate fans, will aim to deliver a tournament that matches the country's love for the sport.
This championship will serve as a crucial qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, adding extra stakes for all participating nations. With the women's game growing rapidly across continents, the 2027 edition could feature the most competitive field in the tournament's history.
What This Means for Handball Fans
The 2026–2027 handball calendar offers an unprecedented density of elite competition. From September 2026 through December 2027, fans will have access to major international tournaments virtually every month.
The expanded EHF Champions League format means more high-level club matches than ever before. The 5-nation Women's EHF EURO demonstrates the sport's growing geographic reach. The 2027 World Championships in Germany and Hungary will showcase handball on its biggest stages.
For players, this packed calendar presents both opportunity and challenge. Managing physical load across club and national team commitments will be crucial. For fans, it means more handball, more drama, and more unforgettable moments.
Whether you're planning to attend in person, follow via broadcast, or track scores on LIVE SCORES BOX, the next 18 months represent one of the richest periods in handball history. Mark your calendars — the action starts now.
Which tournament are you most excited about? Will Germany repeat their 2007 home triumph? Can Norway extend their women's dominance? Share your predictions and follow every match with LIVE SCORES BOX.