Match Schedule
Coming soon
Although the final match schedule still needs to be confirmed with the International Handball Federation (IHF), the following is already set: On 13 January 2027, two preliminary round groups will start in each of the following venues – the SAP Garden in Munich (capacity: over 10,000 spectators), the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart (6,200), the GETEC Arena in Magdeburg (6,500), and the Wunderino Arena in Kiel (10,250).
PLAYING SYSTEM
Over six consecutive match days, the participants for the main round (the top three teams from each group) and the President’s Cup will be determined. The teams finishing 25th to 32nd will continue their journey in Magdeburg, while the remaining 24 teams will move on to the main round from 20 January in the ZAG Arena in Hanover (10,000 capacity) and the LANXESS Arena in Cologne (19,250). Each city will host two main round groups.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals — and from the start of the knockout stage on 26 January, all matches will take place exclusively in Cologne. The semi-finals are scheduled for 29 January, and exactly 20 years after Germany’s famous final victory over Poland — their third and most recent world title — the medals will once again be contested in the Cathedral City on 31 January 2027.
Qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship will begin with the continental championships in Europe, Asia, and Africa in January 2026. The official draw is planned for May/June 2026. The only teams directly qualified are hosts Germany and reigning world champions Denmark.