Appointment to view: Scheduling revolution for club competitions

Handball fans will know exactly when to tune into watch their favourite club playing in top-class European club handball action in the future thanks to a decision by the EHF Executive Committee in Paris on 11 December.

Finding a regular slot on television stations across Europe for top-class handball has been an objective for many years and now, thanks to the EHF and EHF Marketing’s new partnership with Infront and DAZN Group, this is to become a reality.

From the start of the 2020/21 season, the new-look Men’s EHF Champions League with 16 teams will be played on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in all venues across Europe.

The second-tier Men’s European Handball League will be played on Tuesday evenings, with an option for selected matches to be played on Wednesdays.

All women’s competitions including the Women’s EHF Champions League and European Handball League will be played at set times on Saturdays and Sundays.

The new third tier – EHF Cup – mainly involving non-professional or semi-professional teams will also be played at the weekend.
Following extensive discussions with EHF stakeholders including clubs, leagues and players as well as with commercial partners, Infront and DAZN, the proposals were presented to the EHF Executive for a final decision.

The change means not only an ‘appointment to view’ each week for fans but also much better scheduling options for TV partners in the future, with no overlap of men’s and women’s top competitions in the future.