The European Handball Federation (EHF) has made important decisions that will change European club handball. At a meeting in Rotterdam, the EHF Executive Committee confirmed how places will be allocated for the men’s Champions League and European League from the 2026/27 season.
More teams in the Champions League
The men’s Champions League will expand to 24 teams. The allocation of places is based on the federation ranking, which takes into account results from the 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25 seasons. The ten highest-ranked federations will receive one fixed place each in the Champions League. These countries are: Germany, Spain, France, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Portugal, Croatia, and Norway.
Each of these federations can also apply to promote up to two teams from the European League to the Champions League. In total, a maximum of eight teams can be admitted in this way. Federations without a fixed place in the Champions League can also apply for promotion – up to four places are available.
The remaining places will be decided directly by the EHF. This may include places for the winners of the Champions League and/or European League, or so-called wild cards. The EHF also has the option to award wild cards to clubs outside Europe.
How the Champions League will be played
The 24 teams will be drawn into six groups of four. Twelve teams will advance to the main round, consisting of two groups of six. This will be followed by quarter-finals and, ultimately, the EHF FINAL4.
– The level of quality among Europe’s handball clubs is so high that the EHF Champions League will be incredibly competitive, increasing its attractiveness for fans, media and partners alike and positioning a product on the market which will be even stronger than it is already now, said EHF President Michael Wiederer.
New format for the European League
The men’s European League will also have a new structure. The competition will start with 32 teams, drawn into eight groups of four, meaning no qualification matches will be played before the group stage.
According to the ranking, 36 teams have the right to a place in the European League. When 12 teams are promoted to the Champions League, eight spots will become available, allocated as follows:
→ Five spots go to additional teams from federations whose clubs were promoted to the Champions League
→ Two spots are open to clubs from federations without fixed places in either competition
→ One spot can be awarded as a wild card by the EHF
Changes for women’s club competitions
The EHF also confirmed that the women’s club competition formats will be reviewed in spring 2026, with any changes expected to take effect from the 2027/28 season.
Read more on the official EHF website.