The European Handball Federation has outlined key updates for European club competitions from the 2026/27 season, including the introduction of an official club ranking system and more clearly defined wildcard rules.
The decisions were made during the EHF Executive Committee meeting in Poland, held the day after the draw for the EHF Women’s Euro 2026, according to HandNews.
From the 2026/27 season, both men’s and women’s clubs will be part of an official EHF ranking system.
The concept is straightforward: clubs will collect points based on their results in European competitions over the previous three seasons. This ranking will then be used to determine seeding pots for competition draws, an important step ahead of upcoming structural changes in European handball.
Like in football, the ranking will not affect qualification for competitions, but will instead influence draw positioning.
Adjustments to Champions League access
While there are no major changes to the access criteria for the EHF Champions League, some adjustments have been made.
Infrastructure, TV, and attendance requirements remain unchanged. However, past performances in European competitions will no longer be assessed directly. Instead, they will be reflected through the newly introduced ranking points.
The EHF has also clarified the rules regarding wildcard entries.
The reigning Champions League winners will automatically qualify for the following season, regardless of their domestic league position. The same applies to the winners of the EHF European League, provided that the Champions League winners either come from a different federation or finish in the top two of their domestic league.