From 2030 onwards, the European Handball Federation (EHF) will launch the newly-launched flagship tournament, the European Handball Games – bringing together Europe’s top men’s and women’s national teams in one spectacular competition. With an Olympic berth on the line, handball’s continental showcase is about to get bigger, bolder and more frequent.
The announcement, made following the EHF Executive Committee meeting, marks one of the federation’s biggest innovations in recent years. The European Handball Games will bring together the top eight men’s and women’s national teams, competing during a dedicated national team week in a format inspired by the Olympics. Men’s and women’s tournaments will alternate matchdays, ensuring a high-intensity showcase of elite handball.
EHF President Michael Wiederer described the event as a way to ensure that “Olympic-quality handball remains in Europe” during the upcoming Olympic cycles – particularly as the next two Summer Games take place outside the continent, in Los Angeles (2028) and Brisbane (2032).
Every four years
The Games will be staged every four years, ideally in September, and will fit into the existing international calendar. The EHF is already working with national federations and other stakeholders to fine-tune the competition format, logistics, and qualification pathways. Alongside the new tournament, the federation is also revamping its qualification system for the World Championship, signaling a broader reshaping of international handball scheduling.
For fans, the European Handball Games promise a thrilling new spectacle: a concentrated week of top-tier matches, a clear Olympic incentive, and a stage where Europe’s best collide for ultimate glory.
With five years to go before the inaugural edition, the countdown has begun — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.