The International Handball Federation (IHF) Council convened on August 12, 2023, in Croatia to make pivotal decisions about the future of world championships. The IHF Council voted to award the hosting rights for esteemed handball events to the People’s Republic of China.
The 10th IHF Women’s Youth (U18) Handball World Championship 2024 is scheduled to take place in P. R. China. This decision is remarkable as it marks the first instance of the IHF Women’s Youth (U18) Handball World Championship being held in Asia. This marks only the third time in the championship’s history that it will take place outside of Europe. The previous occasions were the inaugural edition in Canada in 2006 and in the Dominican Republic in 2010.
Furthermore, the 11th IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships 2024 have also been assigned to P. R. China. This marks a departure from the norm, as it’s the first time since 2014 that the IHF Beach Handball World Championships will be hosted outside of Europe. This showcases the global appeal of beach handball and introduces the sport to new audiences.
It’s important to note that this decision reinforces the IHF’s dedication to expanding the horizons of handball. By selecting non-traditional host nations, the IHF aims to foster the growth of handball across continents, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment for handball enthusiasts worldwide.
While the hosting decisions were made with clarity, the verdict for the 3rd IHF Men’s and Women’s Youth (U17) Beach Handball World Championships 2025 was postponed, creating anticipation within the handball community.
These decisions not only determine the host countries for future championships but also emphasise P. R. China’s emerging role on the global handball stage. The world of handball is poised for exciting growth, reaching new shores and uniting enthusiasts worldwide.
