SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 2, 2025 – Handball fans, mark your calendars! The European Handball Federation has officially released the full match schedule for the highly anticipated Men's EHF EURO 2026 — and it promises high-stakes action from day one.
Set to begin on January 15, 2026, the championship opens with defending titleholders France stepping onto the court against Czechia in Oslo/Baerum. The same evening, Spain takes on Serbia in Herning, kicking off a thrilling tournament that spans across Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
Opening Matches Set the Stage for Drama
The tournament's first day will spotlight powerhouse performances:
- France vs. Czechia at 18:00 CET in Oslo/Baerum
- Spain vs. Serbia at 18:00 CET in Herning
- Norway vs. Ukraine at 20:30 CET in Oslo/Baerum
Denmark, the host and reigning world champion, will join the fray on January 16 with a high-intensity match against North Macedonia. Sweden makes its tournament debut the following evening, January 17, facing off against the Netherlands in Malmö at 20:30 CET.
Excitement Across Six Groups and Four Cities
This year’s tournament features 24 teams divided into six groups, each hosted in a different Scandinavian city:
- Group A (Herning): Germany, Spain, Austria, Serbia
- Group B (Herning): Denmark, Portugal, North Macedonia, Romania
- Group C (Oslo/Baerum): France, Norway, Czechia, Ukraine
- Group D (Oslo/Baerum): Slovenia, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Switzerland
- Group E (Malmö): Sweden, Croatia, Netherlands, Georgia
- Group F (Kristianstad): Hungary, Iceland, Poland, Italy
Preliminary matches will be played in Herning, Oslo/Baerum, Malmö, and Kristianstad. All preliminary round games kick off at either 18:00 or 20:30 CET, creating a primetime viewing experience across Europe.
Main Round and Final Weekend Highlights
The main round, hosted in Malmö and Herning, brings even more excitement with matches scheduled at 15:30, 18:00, and 20:30 CET. The crescendo comes on January 26 with the semi-finals in Herning’s Jyske Bank Boxen:
- First semi-final at 17:45 CET
- Second semi-final at 20:30 CET
The bronze medal game and the final showdown follow on January 28 at 15:15 CET and 18:00 CET respectively, all held at the iconic Jyske Bank Boxen.
Grab Your Tickets Now
Fans eager to witness handball history live can secure their tickets for all venues and stages of the competition at tickets.eurohandball.com.
“The full match schedule is available on ehfeuro.eurohandball.com/men/2026,” confirmed the European Handball Federation in the official release.
Get Ready for an Unforgettable Championship
Whether you're cheering from the stands or tuning in from home, the Men's EHF EURO 2026 promises unforgettable moments, national pride, and electrifying handball. With fierce matchups, passionate crowds, and a world-class setting, the countdown to January 2026 starts now.
Learn more at https://ehfeuro.eurohandball.com/men/2026