MEDIA RELEASE: 32 teams enter the Road to Hamburg; tickets for the Winamax EHF Finals 2027 are already available.

A new season, a new playing system and a Road to Hamburg that promises plenty of excitement — the EHF European League Men 2026/27 throws off this Tuesday, with 32 teams from 18 countries set to contest the group phase.

The 32 teams enter the race to reach the Winamax EHF Finals in Hamburg at the end of the season on 22 and 23 May 2027.

The season begins with Winamax being confirmed as title partner of the EHF Finals in Germany and France for another two seasons. EHF Marketing has extended its agreement with the European betting company through to the 2027/28 season.

With Hamburg’s Barclays Arena hosting the event for a fourth year in a row, the arena and the city itself have become synonymous with EHF European League Men glory.

Tickets for the Winamax EHF Finals 2027 go on sale today at 14:00 hrs, one day before the season begins. Prices start at €75 and tickets will be available at https://www.eurohandball.com/ehf-finals.

Under the new EHF European League Men format, the 16 teams that earn progression from the group phase will be joined by 12 sides finishing third or fourth in the group stage of the EHF Champions League Men, directly linking the two competitions.

That cohort of 28 clubs will take the court for the play-offs, vying for places in the last 16 — where the two fifth-ranked teams from the EHF Champions League Men main round will join.

Following the last 16, the quarter-finals will serve as the last obstacle on the Road to Hamburg, with the top four teams of the season progressing to the Winamax EHF Finals 2027.

Extension of title partnership with Winamax

Winamax is a European betting company and established partner of EHF Marketing (EHFM). The extension continues the partnership between Winamax and EHFM for another two seasons. Winamax has also recently been announced as official partner of the EHF Champions League Men, through the 2027/28 season.

The partnership provides additional commercial visibility for the Winamax EHF Finals in Germany and France, two key markets for European club handball.

The partnership includes extensive brand integration across the Winamax EHF Finals and selected EHF European League Men matches, as well as continued integration into the Road to Hamburg digital activations from the knockout stage onwards.

50 broadcast territories for EHF European League Men 2026/27

The EHF European League Men will be broadcast by almost 30 official broadcast partners across 50 territories. EHFTV will complement the international broadcast network with live coverage in available markets throughout the season.

David Szlezak, Managing Director EHF Marketing, said: "The start of the new season marks an important step for the EHF European League Men. The new playing system creates an even stronger connection within European club handball, while we continue to develop the competition and its final event, the Winamax EHF Finals. Extending our partnership with Winamax gives us continuity with an established partner in two important markets."

Alexandre Roos, CEO Winamax, and Christophe Schaming, Managing Director Winamax, said: "For the third year running, Winamax is demonstrating its strong presence in European handball. We are always looking for excitement, entertainment and maximum visibility, as a strong European brand. These qualities are particularly strong in handball, which is why we are very much looking forward to the season and especially to the Winamax EHF Finals of the EHF European League in Hamburg."

Main photo © Anze Malovrh / kolektiff