SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Dec. 15, 2024 – The Women's EHF EURO 2024, hosted across Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland, has proven to be a resounding success, captivating audiences worldwide with record-breaking digital engagement and impressive television viewership. Even before the final match between Norway and Denmark, the tournament has demonstrated the growing global appeal of women's handball.
Digital Engagement Soars to New Heights
The championship has made a significant impact on social media, with the European Handball Federation (EHF) reporting remarkable figures:
- Record-breaking Instagram reel: A highlight reel featuring a goal by Norwegian player Camilla Herrem garnered over 32 million views, marking the most successful Instagram reel in the history of the sport.1
- Massive increase in social media followers: The EHF's social media channels gained nearly 80,000 new followers and generated three million interactions during the main round of the tournament.
- Extensive digital reach: Monitoring across various channels, including those of the EHF, teams, players, and broadcast partners, revealed a staggering digital reach of 220 million, surpassing the previous Women's EHF EURO in 2022.2
Television Viewership Reaches Millions
Infront, the EHF's exclusive media and marketing partner, secured broadcast agreements in over 110 territories, significantly expanding the tournament's global reach.3
- High demand in key markets: Early data indicates strong viewership in handball powerhouses like Norway and Denmark.
- Norway: Main round matches featuring the Norwegian national team achieved market shares exceeding 50%.4
- Denmark: Close to one million viewers tuned in to watch Denmark's main round matches, resulting in market shares of 59% and 61%, respectively.5
Quotes from Key Stakeholders
"With 24 teams participating for the first time this EHF EURO was another milestone in the development of the women’s game," said Michael Wiederer, EHF President. "These first numbers indicate a growing appeal of our sport, and we are thrilled to bring the excitement of our flagship national team event to millions of fans around the world."
Julien Ternisien, Senior Vice President Summer and Winter Sports at Infront, highlighted the success of the partnership. "Our partnership is a demonstration of how delivering outstanding commercial results can benefit the development of handball in Europe," he said. "We look forward to building on this momentum and exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation for the foreseeable future."
Expanding the Reach of Women's Handball
The Women's EHF EURO 2024 marked the first time the women's tournament expanded to 24 teams, following the successful format change in the men's event.6 This expansion, along with the impressive digital and television figures, underscores the growing popularity and recognition of women's handball on the global stage.
Strong Partnerships Drive Success
The championship also attracted a diverse range of sponsors, including Lidl, Engelbert Strauss, Gorenje, and Grundfos, demonstrating the increasing commercial viability of women's handball.7
The Future of Women's Handball
With record-breaking engagement and a growing global fanbase, the future of women's handball looks bright. The EHF and its partners are committed to building on this momentum, driving further innovation and expanding the reach of this dynamic and exciting sport.