The 2026 European Men’s Handball Championship kicks off on 15 January, hosted jointly by Denmark, Sweden and Norway. With 24 top national teams, the full schedule runs to 1 February, featuring group play, knockout rounds and a final in Oslo. Fans can follow live scores, venues and key match‑ups via the official EHF EURO 2026 portal.
Full Programme at a Glance
The official schedule lists every match, time and venue, allowing supporters to track their teams from the opening game in Copenhagen to the championship decider in Oslo.
- 15 Jan – Opening match: Denmark vs. Norway (Copenhagen)
- 22 Jan – First knockout round: Eight teams compete for quarter‑final spots
- 29 Jan – Quarter‑finals: The field narrows to the final eight
- 31 Jan – Semi‑finals: Determining the finalists and bronze‑medal contenders
- 1 Feb – Final: Title match to crown the European champion (Oslo)
Top Favorites and Medal Contenders
Denmark – Home‑Court Advantage
Fresh from Olympic gold, Denmark enters as the clear favourite. Veteran goalkeeper Niklas Landin Jacobsen and prolific wing Mikkel Hansen anchor a squad eager to dominate on home soil.
France – Defending Champions
France aims to repeat its 2024 triumph. The backcourt duo of Timothey N’Goma and Baptiste Butto provides a blend of power and tactical finesse.
Germany – Medal Aspirations
Olympic bronze medallists Germany combine experienced pivot Andreas Christensen with rising scorer Luca Klose, targeting a podium finish.
Spain – Fast‑Break Threat
Silver‑medalists Spain rely on the playmaking of Carlos García to unleash rapid transitions and challenge any defence.
Dark Horses
Teams such as Georgia and Portugal could surprise established powers, adding intrigue to the knockout stage.
Scandinavian Triple‑Host Advantage
Co‑hosting across Denmark, Sweden and Norway reduces travel fatigue and concentrates each group in a single city during the preliminary round. State‑of‑the‑art venues – Royal Arena (Copenhagen), Friends Arena (Stockholm) and Vallhall Arena (Oslo) – ensure optimal playing conditions and large spectator capacities.
Impact on European Handball
EHF EURO 2026 serves as a benchmark ahead of the 2027 World Championship and the 2032 Olympic Games. Strong TV ratings, ticket sales and social‑media engagement will shape future funding and sponsorship. The tournament’s digital portal highlights a data‑driven fan experience that may become standard across indoor sports.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Denmark’s home boost – can the hosts clinch gold?
- France’s title defence – will travel affect performance?
- Germany’s medal chase – a podium finish could cement their rise.
- Emerging dark horses – look for surprise upsets from Georgia and Portugal.
- Individual brilliance – stars like Mikkel Hansen, Timothey N’Goma and Nikola Karabatić (if present) could decide matches.
