The Handball World Championship 2027 will bring world-class handball back to Germany. From 13 to 31 January 2027, the best men’s national teams in the world will compete for the title at the 30th IHF Men’s Handball World Championship. Germany will host the tournament in six host cities: Munich, Stuttgart, Kiel, Magdeburg, Hanover and Cologne.
For handball fans, the 2027 World Championship will be one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The tournament combines Germany’s strong handball tradition with modern arenas, passionate crowds and a compact schedule in the middle of the European handball season. The motto of the event is “Where Handball Is Alive” – a fitting slogan for a country where handball has deep roots in clubs, schools, Bundesliga arenas and national team history.
When is the Handball World Championship 2027?
The 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship will take place from 13 to 31 January 2027. The preliminary round starts on 13 January, while the final will be played in Cologne on 31 January 2027.
The tournament is played over several stages. The preliminary round determines which teams move on to the main round. After that, the best teams continue into the knockout stage, where the quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches decide the new world champion.
Host country: Germany
Germany is one of Europe’s major handball nations and has already hosted several major international tournaments. The 2027 edition will be another major milestone for German handball, following the memorable World Championship in 2007, when Germany won the title on home soil in Cologne.
In 2027, Germany will once again begin the tournament in front of its home fans. The German national team has been seeded in Group A and will play its preliminary round matches in Munich on 13, 15 and 17 January. If Germany qualifies for the main round, the team will move on to Cologne.
Host cities and venues
The World Championship 2027 will be played in six German cities. Each venue has its own handball identity, from traditional Bundesliga strongholds to large multifunctional arenas.
Munich, SAP Garden
Munich will be one of the preliminary round venues. The SAP Garden is one of Germany’s most modern indoor arenas and will host Groups A and C. Germany will start its tournament here in Group A.
Stuttgart, Porsche Arena
The Porsche Arena in Stuttgart will also host preliminary round matches. Groups B and D will begin their tournament in Stuttgart. The city has previous World Championship experience and is an important venue in southern Germany.
Kiel, MERKUR Ostseehalle
Kiel is one of the most famous handball cities in Europe. The MERKUR Ostseehalle will host Groups E and G. With THW Kiel as one of the best-known club teams in world handball, the city offers a strong handball atmosphere.
Magdeburg , GETEC Arena
Magdeburg is another traditional handball city. The GETEC Arena will host Groups F and H during the preliminary round. SC Magdeburg’s recent success at club level makes the city one of the most attractive handball locations in Germany.
Hanover, ZAG Arena
Hanover will become one of the two main round venues. Teams from Groups E, F, G and H will continue their tournament in the ZAG Arena if they qualify for the main round.
Cologne, LANXESS Arena
Cologne will be the central venue for the decisive phase of the tournament. The LANXESS Arena will host main round matches, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, placement matches and the final. On 31 January 2027, the new world champion will be crowned in Cologne.
Playing system and tournament format
The 2027 Handball World Championship starts with 32 teams in eight preliminary round groups. The top three teams from each group advance to the main round, while the remaining teams continue in the President’s Cup.
The main round will be played in Hanover and Cologne. After the main round, the four group winners and four runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals. From the quarter-finals onwards, all knockout matches will be played in Cologne. The semi-finals are scheduled for 29 January, followed by the medal matches and the final on 31 January 2027.
Groups at the Handball World Championship 2027
The draw for the 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship was held in Munich on 10 June 2026. The 32 teams were drawn into eight preliminary round groups.
Group A in Munich
Germany, Uruguay, Serbia and Tunisia will play in Group A. For the host nation, this group is the starting point of the tournament.
Group B in Stuttgart
Group B consists of Egypt, Italy, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Egypt enter the tournament as one of the strongest non-European teams.
Group C in Munich
Croatia, Chile, Türkiye and Spain form Group C. This is one of the most attractive groups of the preliminary round, with two established European handball nations.
Group D in Stuttgart
France, Brazil, Kuwait and Argentina will compete in Group D. France are traditionally among the biggest contenders at any major handball tournament.
Group E in Kiel
Qatar, Sweden, Norway and Greece make up Group E. With Sweden and Norway, this group includes two major Scandinavian handball nations.
Group F in Magdeburg
Portugal, Faroe Islands, Poland and Algeria will play in Group F. Portugal and Poland bring strong European handball traditions into this group.
Group G in Kiel
Denmark, Slovenia, the United States of America and Angola form Group G. Denmark, the reigning world champion from 2025, will be one of the most watched teams of the tournament.
Group H in Magdeburg
North Macedonia, Bahrain, Japan and Iceland complete the preliminary round line-up in Group H.
Germany’s role at the 2027 World Championship
For Germany, the 2027 Handball World Championship is more than just another tournament. It is a home World Championship and an opportunity to create another handball celebration similar to the famous 2007 “Wintermärchen”, when Germany won the world title in Cologne.
The German team will start in Munich and hopes to reach the decisive phase in Cologne. With home support, strong arena atmospheres and a new generation of players, expectations will be high. The tournament will also be an important moment for German handball as a whole, bringing international attention to the sport, the Bundesliga and the next generation of handball fans.
Tickets for the Handball World Championship 2027
Tickets for the Handball World Championship 2027 are available through the official ticketing partner. Fans can buy tickets for individual venues and tournament stages, depending on availability. Because Germany is hosting the event and because handball has a large fan base in the country, high demand is expected, especially for Germany matches and the final weekend in Cologne.
Anyone planning to attend the tournament should check the official ticket information early. Matches in Munich, Cologne, Kiel and Magdeburg are likely to be especially attractive because of Germany’s route, traditional handball crowds and the presence of major international teams.
Why the 2027 Handball World Championship is special
The 2027 World Championship combines several strong storylines. Germany returns as sole host of a men’s World Championship, Cologne will once again stage the final, and many of the world’s best handball nations will compete in one of the sport’s most passionate markets. The tournament also takes place exactly 20 years after Germany’s emotional 2007 home triumph.
For international fans, the event is a chance to experience handball in a country where the sport is played and followed with real intensity. For German fans, it is a rare opportunity to see the national team and the world’s top players live in some of the country’s best indoor arenas.
Handball World Championship 2027 at a glance
The 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship takes place in Germany from 13 to 31 January 2027. A total of 32 teams will compete in six host cities: Munich, Stuttgart, Kiel, Magdeburg, Hanover and Cologne. The preliminary round will be played in Munich, Stuttgart, Kiel and Magdeburg. The main round follows in Hanover and Cologne. From the quarter-finals onwards, all matches will take place in Cologne, where the final will decide the new world champion on 31 January 2027.
With top teams, full arenas and a strong handball tradition, the Handball World Championship 2027 in Germany is set to become one of the major highlights of the international handball calendar.