2027 World Handball Championship in Hannover

From January 20 to 25, two of the four group stage groups will play here, while the other two will be held in Cologne. Twelve teams will compete in the arena for a spot in the quarterfinals, with three matches scheduled per day. Ticket sales are expected to begin in late 2025, in time for the holiday shopping season. The arena can accommodate approximately 9,000 to 10,000 spectators, depending on technical requirements for TV and event equipment.

Hannover as the host city: A wise decision

The selection of Hannover as one of the six host cities underscores the importance of handball in the region. The city has built a strong handball tradition thanks to TSV Hannover-Burgdorf and its loyal fans. With the World Championship matches, Hannover will become a national and international hub for handball and offer a major platform for handball fans. This is also a significant event for the local economy and tourism.

The ZAG Arena: Hannover at the Center of the Handball World

With a capacity of up to 10,000 seats and state-of-the-art technical facilities, the ZAG Arena offers the ideal conditions for major events such as the World Handball Championship. The arena has already proven itself during major handball events such as the Olympic qualifiers and is being upgraded for the 2027 World Championship to provide an unforgettable fan experience. The main round matches in Hanover promise high-stakes action when the top teams from the preliminary round in Kiel and Magdeburg face off at the ZAG Arena.

The “Decade of Handball” in Germany

The 2027 World Handball Championship is part of a series of major handball events that will define the “Decade of Handball.” Following the 2023 U21 World Championship and a record-breaking 2024 European Championship, the Women’s World Championship in 2025—co-hosted with the Netherlands—and the Men’s World Championship in 2029—co-hosted with France—are on the schedule. This marks the eighth time Germany has hosted a Men’s World Championship, following 1938, 1958, 1961, 1974, 1982, 2007, and 2019. This reinforces the DHB’s role as the leading federation in international handball and promotes the sport’s popularity in the country.

Key Facts About the 2027 World Handball Championship

Preliminary round: January 13 or 14 through 19 in Munich, Stuttgart, Kiel, and Magdeburg 

Main round: January 20–25 in Cologne and Hanover 

Final Round: January 26–31 in Cologne 

Ticket sales for the 2027 World Handball Championship will officially begin in 2026.

© HMTG

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ZAG Arena

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