The 2026 European Women's Handball Championship bidding process entails the bids for the 2026 European Women's Handball Championship. The winners were originally Russia but it was taken away from them due to the war in Ukraine.

Bidding timeline

The bidding timeline is as follows:[1]

  • 4 June 2020: Invitation to National Federations to provide a letter of intent to the EHF for hosting the EHF EUROs 2026 & 2028
  • 1 October 2020: Deadline for submitting the letter of intent and request for the bidding documents by the interested federations
  • 1 November 2020: Dispatch of the manual for staging the EHF EUROs 2026 & 2028 together with the relevant specifications and forms by the EHF
  • 1 May 2021: Applications available at the EHF Office
  • May/June 2021: Evaluation of bids by the EHF
  • June 2021: Approval of applications by EHF EXEC
  • June–September 2021: Site inspections
  • September 2021: Further evaluation after inspections
  • September 2021: Confirmation of bids for the EHF EUROs 2026 & 2028
  • 17/18 November 2021: Allocation at the EO EHF Congress 2021

Bids

On 11 May 2021 it was announced that the following nations sent in an official expression of interest: [2]

On 20 October the final bids were presented. The Scandinavian bid was withdrawn, leaving Russia unopposed.[3][4]

Russia

Russia arena map

In September 2020, Russian federation president, Sergey Shishkarev, said he was discussing the bid with the European Handball Federation.[5] In October 2020, Russia's name was on list of interested nations in the tournament.[6][7]

When the deadline for official bids ended, Russia was on the list, under the slogan We Can.[8][9] However, they made numerous changes to their bid compared to 2024, as Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Astrakhan were all axed from the bid. In an interview with the development director of the Russian Handball Federation, Olga Bugaenko, she confirmed that all three were taken out to reduce the number of cities involved and that it is much easier for foreign fans to travel to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Specifically on Rostov-on-Don, Bugaenko said the uncertainty surrounding their arena was the main reason for leaving the city out.[10]

The main round groups would be held in the Sibur Arena and VTB Arena, with the final weekend in Moscow at the VTB Arena.

These were the proposed venues in Russia's bid:

Moscow Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg
VTB Arena
Capacity: 12,000		 Yubileyny Sports Palace
Capacity: 6,500		 Sibur Arena
Capacity: 6,000

Venue which was originally included, but taken out:

Withdrawn bids

Denmark, Norway and Sweden

Having first stating an interest as two separate bids (Denmark and Norway and a Swedish solo bid) the Scandinavians decided to all bid for an EHF Euro together for the first time ever for EHF Euro, under the slogan Scandinavia Connect. Their bids' aim is to use innovation and modern-day technologies to help Handball have a bright future.[11][12]

The Swedish Handball Federation president, Frederik Rapp, stated “the commitment to finding sustainable solutions across all industries and areas of life is very clear in all of Scandinavia. To connect the Scandinavian approach and experience in sustainability with European handball is so valuable. Finding more sustainable solutions for future events could be a real game-changer for the future of our sport”.

While the Danish counterpart, Per Bertelsen said “We believe we can build on the positive momentum we see in our sport. Together, we can deliver a world-class event that will be a true celebration for European handball”.

The main round would be held in Oslo or Trondheim in Norway and either Copenhagen or Herning in Denmark.[13] The final weekend would be in the Telenor Arena in Oslo, marking the first time Norway has hosted the final of the EHF Women's Euro (they were going to host the final in 2020, but withdrew altogether due to Covid-19). Every other venue would host preliminary round matches.

However, they withdrew their 2026 bid to focus on their 2028 application, and ended up winning the hosting rights for 2028 unopposed.

These are the following 9 venues included in the Scandinavian bid:[14][15]

Denmark

Norway

Sweden

Venue that is no longer part of the bid:

Host selection

As only the Russian bid remained it was unanimously selected at the 14th EHF Extraordinary Congress on 20 November 2021.[16][17] Sergey Shishkarev called the awarding of the hosting rights as a historic moment. [18][19][20]

Withdrawal

After the war in Ukraine started, the EHF said they would monitor the situation. But on 4 July 2023, the championships were taken away from Russia.[21] After the statement, Shishkarev said they would pursue future IHF World Women's Handball Championships and EHF Euros.[22]

Second bidding process

After it was decided that Russia would not host the event, the EHF reopened the bidding process.

New bidding timeline

The new timeline is:[23]

  • 25 October 2023: Deadline for submitting the full bids by the interested federations
  • November–December 2023: Evaluation of bids by the EHF and site inspections
  • 27 January 2024: Allocation at the EHF EXEC meeting

On 25 August 2023, the EHF announced the new bids.[23]

On 25 October, the EHF announced the official bids. Spain withdrew their application, while Slovakia joined Romania's bid.[24]

Czech Republic and Poland

Poland arena map
Czech Republic arena map

Czech Republic and Poland submitted an joint bid for the event with the slogan Follow the way.[25][26] Polish federation president, Henryk Szczepański, saying:

"We are delighted to be bidding for the right to host the EHF EURO 2026 together with our partners from the Czech Handball Federation. Behind us is an intensive period of work on the preparation of a joint offer, numerous meetings and arrangements at the international, central and local government levels. Poland and the Czech Republic are connected not only by their close proximity, but also by their passion for handball. I strongly believe that this will be the beginning of our joint projects".

While the Czech counterpart, Ondřej Zdráhala, said:

"We want to offer our fans, who have always been fantastic, another range of emotions, top events are the pinnacle of handball. I believe that we have done our best in the organisational preparations and we will look forward to the decision".

The preliminary round would be held Brno, Lubin and Katowice, the main round in Brno and Katowice, and the final weekend in Katowice.[24]

These are the proposed venues for the bid:

Czech Republic

Poland


Romania and Slovakia

Slovakia arena map

After starting off as a solo bid, Romania teamed up with Slovakia for a joint bid.[25][27][28] Prior, it was rumoured that Romania would be given the hosting rights automatically, although this never materialised.[29] The final weekend would be in Cluj-Napoca.[24]

However, shortly after they announced proposed facilities, the EHF told Romania that the arenas in Pitești and Bistrita were too small and did not meet the requirements. While at the same time, the EHF reacted favourably to adding the Oradea Arena in Oradea instead.[30]

These are the proposed venues:

Romania

Slovakia

Venues that were axed, having originally been included:

Turkey

Turkey arena map

Turkey filed an application for the first time since 2016. The final weekend would take place in the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul.[31][32]

These are the venues for the Turkish bid:


Host selection

The hosts will be announced on 27 January 2024 in Cologne.

References

  1. ↑ "Bidding Timeline". Bid Brochure EHF Euro 2026 & 2028 (PDF). European Handball Federation. 2021. p. 34. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  2. ↑ "Seven nations bid for EHF Euros in 2026 and 2028". European Handball Federation. 11 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  3. ↑ России, Федерация гандбола. "Россия – единственный кандидат на проведение женского Евро-2026". rushandball.ru.
  4. ↑ "Schweiz bündelt Kräfte mit Spanien und Portugal: Ausrichter für Handball-Europameisterschaften zeichnen sich ab". handball world (in German). 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  5. ↑ "Президент ФГР Сергей Шишкарев и глава ЕГФ Михаэль Видерер встретились в Вене. Руководители обсудили организацию ЧЕ-2026/2028". Гандбол. Сайт «Быстрый центр».
  6. ↑ "Interest high as nations consider EHF EURO 2026 and 2028 bids". ehfeuro.eurohandball.com.
  7. ↑ "EHF EURO 2026 and 2028 - list of potential host countries". Handball Planet. October 5, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Russia". bids.eurohandball.com.
  9. ↑ России, Федерация гандбола. "Мы можем! Россия претендует на организацию женского чемпионата Европы". rushandball.ru.
  10. ↑ России, Федерация гандбола. "«Концепция совершенно новая, но предыдущий опыт помог». Детали заявки России на Евро-2026". rushandball.ru.
  11. ↑ Baker, Jonathan (May 11, 2021). "Bid to host European Handball Championships made by Norway, Sweden, and Denmark | IceNews - Daily News".
  12. ↑ "Scandinavia joins forces to bid for EHF Euro in 2026 or 2028". May 10, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Sverige söker dubbla EM med Danmark och Norge". May 10, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Denmark, Norway, Sweden". bids.eurohandball.com.
  15. ↑ "Norge, Sverige og Danmark tildelt to EM | handball.no". handball.no - Norges Håndballforbund.
  16. ↑ "EHF EURO hosts for 2026 & 2028 confirmed". European Handball Federation. 20 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  17. ↑ "The 14th EHF Extraordinary Congress". European Handball Federation. 20 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  18. ↑ "Сергей Шишкарев: «ЧЕ-2026 в России — историческое событие»". sport-express.ru. November 20, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Москва и Питер, приготовиться! Женскому чемпионату Европы-2026 в России — быть!". Гандбол. Сайт «Быстрый центр».
  20. ↑ "Конгресс ЕГФ принял решение о проведении женского чемпионата Европы-2026 в России. Турнир пройдет в Москве и Санкт-Петербурге". Гандбол. Сайт «Быстрый центр».
  21. ↑ "EHF seeks alternative host for Women's EHF EURO 2026". eurohandball.com. 4 July 2023.
  22. ↑ "Глава ФГР Шишкарев: «Уверен, Россия сможет провести чемпионат Европы или мира по гандболу в другие сроки»". matchtv. July 4, 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Five federations express interest in hosting Women's EHF EURO 2026". eurohandball.com. 25 August 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 "Three bids received for Women's EHF EURO 2026". www.eurohandball.com.
  25. 1 2 Szarek, Maciej (October 26, 2023). "Polska i Czechy z oficjalną kandydaturą do organizacji EHF EURO 2026 kobiet | Związek Piłki Ręcznej w Polsce".
  26. ↑ "Follow the way! Česká házená se společně s Polským svazem házené oficiálně uchází o ženské EURO 2026 – Český svaz házené". handball.cz.
  27. ↑ "Slovensko spolu s Rumunskom kandiduje na ME 2026 žien". IUVENTA Michalovce - Michalovský ženský hádzanársky klub.
  28. ↑ "ME 2026 v hádzanej žien v Bratislave a Košiciach? Slovensko kandiduje spolu s Rumunskom | Flashscore.sk". www.flashscore.sk.
  29. ↑ CE LOVITURĂ! ROMÂNIA VA ORGANIZA EUROPEANUL DE HANDBAL FEMININ! ORAȘELE CARE VOR GĂZDUI MECIURI Eurosport (in Romanian)
  30. ↑ "Candidatură comună România/Slovacia pentru EURO 2026 la handbal feminin - Oradea Arena a primit aviz favorabil de la EHF!". www.crisana.ro.
  31. ↑ "Bot Verification". www.thf.org.tr.
  32. ↑ "Türkiye hentbolda EURO 2026'ya talip". www.trtspor.com.tr.
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