Germany and the Netherlands have announced plans to submit a joint bid for the 2025 edition of the World Women’s Handball Championship.
The German Handball Federation (DHB) and Netherlands Handball Federation (NHV) have teamed up on the bid, which was announced today (Friday). The International Handball Federation (IHF) is due to announce the host of the event next February.
Germany last hosted the event in 2017, when over 237,000 fans attended games in Leipzig, Oldenburg, Trier, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Magdeburg and Hamburg.
Germany also staged the event in 1965 (as West Germany) and 1997, while Netherlands played host in 1971 and 1986.
Details of the host venues that would be used during the 2025 event have not been revealed.
DHB chief executive Mark Schober said: “The application for hosting the Women’s World Championship in 2025 together with the Netherlands is part of a long-term strategic plan. Such major events give us the opportunity to further establish handball in our country.”
Germany is already pencilled in to host the men’s European Championship in 2024 and is also planning on bidding for the 2023 U21 World Championship and the 2027 men’s World Championship.
This year’s World Women’s Championship will take place in Japan from November 30 to December 15. The 2021 event will be held in Spain, while the 2023 tournament will be co-hosted by Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
The 2021 competition will mark the first time Spain has hosted the women’s event, although it hosted the men’s equivalent in 2013. For Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the three-way joint hosting model is a first for an IHF World Championship.
