SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 29, 2025 – The European Handball Federation (EHF) is taking bold steps toward securing a thriving future for the sport with two highly anticipated Competitions Conferences, gathering top stakeholders in Vienna for the first time since 2008.
The initiative, fittingly called "European Handball Future," promises to spark important discussions that will shape the next chapter of handball in Europe. These conferences aim to redefine competition systems, maintain the sport’s momentum, and build a sustainable framework for generations to come.
A New Era for European Handball
Under the leadership of EHF President Michael Wiederer, the organization recognizes that while handball has seen remarkable growth, it cannot afford to stand still.
“If we want to define our future, we must start somewhere, and it’s logical to begin this process with our competition systems,” says Wiederer.
The conferences are structured over two days each:
- Men’s handball: 9–10 April 2025
- Women’s handball: 12–13 May 2025
Each session will delve deep into various aspects of the sport, ensuring that voices from national teams, clubs, grassroots organizers, and leagues are heard.
Preserving Tradition While Embracing Innovation
Wiederer highlights the significant progress made in recent decades, citing packed arenas for EHF FINAL4s and the success of the EHF EURO. However, he also stresses the importance of staying proactive:
“By no means handball is in a position to sit back and relax. If we were to do so, we would be overtaken immediately: by our competitors, by social developments. Or we would be significantly threatened by the current challenges worldwide and their economic consequences,” he warns.
The conferences will explore key themes, including:
- Strengthening grassroots initiatives
- Innovating new competition formats
- Balancing economic realities with sporting traditions
- Aligning national and international calendars
An Inclusive, Strategic Approach
The EHF’s strategy focuses not just on broadcasting information but actively listening to stakeholders. Wiederer explains:
“With these two conferences, we provide the basic information and a room for discussion, but much more than that, we listen and collect input. Then, in a next step, the inputs will be evaluated, and the feasibility will be checked. In the end, the conferences are strategic means to shape the future of European handball.”
This open-minded approach ensures that the evolution of handball reflects a diversity of experiences and visions, preserving the sport’s core DNA while adapting to an ever-changing world.
Where and How to Get Involved
The men’s and women’s Competitions Conferences are being held in Vienna, Austria — a fitting backdrop for such a historic moment. These events are invitation-only, but handball fans and stakeholders worldwide can stay updated through EHF’s official communications and post-conference reports.
By fostering dialogue and building a shared vision, the EHF is laying the foundation for a stronger, more dynamic future for handball enthusiasts everywhere.
Learn more about the European Handball Federation and its upcoming initiatives at www.eurohandball.com.