VELUX EHF FINAL4 stays in Cologne until 2016

The European Handball Federation has announced that Europe’s biggest handball event, the VELUX EHF FINAL4, is to remain in Cologne, Germany for two further years, and until at least 2016.

The decision was made on the fringes of the Women’s World Championship taking place in Serbia, as the EHF Executive Committee gave the green light to the agreement at its meeting in Belgrade, on Saturday, 14 December.

With the current agreement due to expire following the 2014 event, event organisers EHF Marketing GmbH, the City of Cologne and LANXESS arena have now reached an agreement that will bring Europe’s top teams to the cathedral city until at least 2016.

Handball and entertainment event

Jean Brihault, EHF President, commented: “Cologne and the LANXESS arena have offered us perfect conditions for the organisation of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 right from the first event back in 2010.

"I am sure that handball fans will share my delight at the decision to return to Cologne for a further two years.”

Peter Vargo, Managing Director of EHF Marketing GmbH, said: “Every year tens of thousands of fans travel to Cologne to witness the huge handball and entertainment event which the VELUX EHF FINAL4 has become.

"We are really looking forward to building on what we have already achieved and to provide the fans an even better event in the coming years."

Jürgen Roters, Mayor of Cologne, was in agreement: “From the perspective of the city of Cologne, four very successful VELUX EHF FINAL4 events are behind us and all will have seen for themselves that the predicate ‘world-class' is deserving.

“Among all events of worldwide appeal held in Cologne, the past editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with its professional management and its knowledgeable and internationally diverse audience were handball events of extraordinary class.

The event format developed by the EHF and EHFM, consisting of world-class handball, coupled with a very high quality and attractive supporting programme, while maintaining a close relationship between the fans and their sports idols, has proven itself to be unique.”

Season highlight

The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the highlight of the season of the VELUX EHF Champions League and European club handball.

Since the introduction of the event in 2010, 20,000 fans and the best club teams in Europe come together every year in the LANXESS arena to celebrate the most important event of the season.

Fans have already secured the vast majority of the available tickets with just five months until the 2014 VELUX EHF FINAL4 on 31 May and 1 June. Further information and the official ticket shop can be found at www.ehfFINAL4.com.