Event Information – Women’s EHF EURO 2026
The Women’s EHF EURO 2026 in Poland, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, and Türkiye brings together Europe’s 24 best national teams, all vying for the ultimate prize. The tournament format is designed to heighten drama and unpredictability, with a preliminary round and a main round followed by the final weekend — consisting of the semi-finals, the matches for fifth and third place, and the big final — guaranteeing edge-of-your-seat action from start to finish.
24 top handball nations are ready to compete
Following the competition’s successful expansion from 16 to 24 teams in 2024, the Women’s EHF EURO will once again feature 24 participants when the tournament throws off on 3 December 2026. After an exciting qualification campaign and the official draw in April 2026, the full line-up and all six preliminary round groups have been confirmed.
Preliminary Round Groups
Group A (Oradea, Romania)
* Hungary
* Montenegro
* Slovenia
* Iceland
Group B (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
* Norway
* Romania
* Switzerland
* North Macedonia
Group C (Antalya, Türkiye)
* Denmark
* Spain
* Türkiye
* Greece
Group D (Brno, Czechia)
* Netherlands
* Czechia
* Austria
* Croatia
Group E (Katowice, Poland)
* France
* Poland
* Faroe
* Islands
* Ukraine
Group F (Bratislava, Slovakia)
* Sweden
* Germany
* Slovakia
* Serbia
Six host cities are ready to welcome handball fans from across Europe
A truly European event, the Women’s EHF EURO 2026 is co-hosted by five nations, with six venues welcoming supporters from all over the continent:
* Katowice (POL): preliminary round, main round, and final weekend;
* Cluj-Napoca (ROU): preliminary round and main round;
* Oradea (ROU), Brno (CZE), Bratislava (SVK), and Antalya (TUR): preliminary round.
The preliminary round consists of six groups of four teams each. The top two teams from every group advance to one of the two main round groups, where they continue their quest for the title. The top two teams in each main round group qualify for the semi-finals, while the third-placed teams contest the 5th place match during the final weekend. The tournament culminates with the final in Katowice on Sunday, 20 December 2026, where Europe's new champions will be crowned.
Get ready to cheer, to celebrate, and to be inspired
The countdown to the Women’s EHF EURO 2026 is more than a calendar tick — it is an invitation to be part of history in the making. Whether you are a lifelong supporter, a casual spectator, or new to the world of handball, this is your chance to witness Europe’s finest players compete on the biggest continental stage, share unforgettable moments, and experience the unique atmosphere created by fans from across Europe.
Get ready to cheer, to celebrate, and to be inspired. The world will be watching. Will you be part of it?
