2026 European Handball Championship to be Hosted Across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden
HERNING, Denmark – The schedule and host cities are set for the 2026 European Handball Championship, promising a thrilling tournament spread across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The championship, featuring Europe’s top national teams, will take place from January 16th to February 1st, 2026. This event is crucial for Olympic qualification, with the tournament winner securing a direct pathway to the 2028 Olympic Games.
The European Handball Federation (EHF) confirmed the tri-nation hosting arrangement, aiming to capitalize on the strong handball cultures within Scandinavia. Matches will be held in cities across all three countries, including Herning, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; and Gothenburg, Sweden, among others. While details regarding the full match schedule are still forthcoming, the EHF has indicated tickets for the German preliminary round games in Herning currently start around 160 euros for a package covering all their matches, with individual day tickets costing approximately 60 euros. However, semi-final day tickets in Herning are currently sold out, with only VIP packages exceeding 400 euros remaining. All tickets are valid for all games played at a venue on a given day; single-game tickets will not be available.
Looking ahead, the EHF is also planning a notable restructuring of continental competitions with the introduction of the “European Handball Games” in 2030. This new tournament, featuring the eight best men’s and women’s national teams, will be held every four years in September and directly determine a European qualifier for the Olympic Games. EHF President Michael Wiederer stated, “The European starting place at the Olympic Games is the ultimate prize.” Further details regarding the format and specifics of the European Handball Games are expected to be released in December.