France and Belgium awarded 2030 European Women's Handball Championship, marking Belgium's first major tournament
The European Handball Federation has awarded the 2030 European Women's Handball Championship to France and Belgium, marking Belgium's first major handball tournament. Host cities will include Antwerp, Dunkerque, Nantes and Paris.
The award
On Saturday, during the men's Champions League Final Four in Cologne, the European Handball Federation (EHF) awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 European Women's Handball Championship to a joint bid from France and Belgium. The French Handball Federation (FFHandball) announced the decision in a statement, welcoming the trust placed in its joint candidacy with the Royal Belgian Handball Federation.
Host cities
Later in the day, the EHF confirmed that Antwerp would host matches in Belgium, while Dunkerque, Nantes and Paris would stage games on the French side. The women's Euros will thus return to France twelve years after it first hosted the tournament in 2018, and for the first time bring elite handball to Belgian soil.
This is a historic moment for Belgian handball. It is recognition of the efforts made in recent years within our sport and a unique opportunity to inspire young players across Belgium. Co-hosting an event of this scale with a partner nation like France is both an honour and a pleasure. We want to make this championship not only a sporting success but also a lever for the future development of handball in Belgium.
France's handball trajectory
The award extends a sequence of major handball events secured by France. The country will co-host the men's World Championship with Germany in 2029 and the men's European Championship with Germany in 2032. The FFHandball said the new women's event confirms its leading role in European and global handball.
This designation is part of a strong international dynamic for France, already engaged in organising the IHF World Championship 2029 and the EHF EURO 2032 men. In 2030 it will be the handball players' turn to shine, and we will do everything to make this Euro an exceptional event and a tremendous lever to inspire future generations.
Belgian breakthrough
For Belgium, the 2030 tournament represents its first-ever major handball tournament. The Royal Belgian Handball Federation president described the decision as a recognition of the sport's growth in the country and a chance to build a lasting legacy.
French women's strong season
The announcement lands in a successful period for French women's club handball. Metz won the Women's Champions League for the first time, Brest reached the Final Four, and Dijon lifted its first European League trophy. The national federation hopes the 2030 Euros will build on that domestic momentum.
