In a new partnership, the Handball Federations of Denmark, Iceland, and Norway have united with a shared vision to bring the IHF Menʹs World Championship home in 2031.
Denmark, Iceland, and Norway are confident in our abilities to host a successful championship. The collective experience and deeply rooted handball culture will ensure sold-out venues, extensive media coverage, lively fan festivals, and engaging fan activation.
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From young to old, handball is in the heart of the countries, and the hearts are beating strong for hosting the IHF World Championship.
Morten Stig Christensen, president of the Danish Handball Association:
“It fills us with pride and excitement that Denmark, together with Norway and Iceland, will have the honor of hosting the IHF Men's World Championship 2031. The championship will be a grand celebration of handball, where the world's best teams will create unforgettable moments for our spectators and inspire the next generation of handball players. Together with our co-hosts, we will work tirelessly to set new standards for the fan experience and responsible event management.”
Kåre Geir Lio, president of the Norwegian Handball Federation:
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By GlobalData“We are thrilled to be chosen as the host of the Men’s IHF World Championship 2031 together with Denmark and Iceland. It will be tournament showcasing the width of Nordic handball, culture and atmosphere. We’ve cooperated with Denmark several times already, and we are looking forward to developing the friendship with Iceland in new ways as well. We are excited.”
Guðmundur B. Ólafsson, president of the Icelandic Handball Association:
“We are thrilled to be selected, alongside our partners Denmark and Norway, to co-host the 2031 Handball World Championship. This prestigious honor recognizes our unwavering commitment to the sport. This collaborative effort not only promises to elevate handball's profile within Iceland significantly but also serves as a powerful testament to the potential of smaller nations to co-host major sporting events through strong international partnerships.”
The national sporting event organization, Sport Event Denmark, plays a vital role in both bidding and hosting major tournaments together with the national federations.
“The awarding of the 2031 Men's Handball World Championship to Denmark, Norway, and Iceland is yet another fine example of the recognition that we in Denmark and the Nordic countries enjoy internationally as handball and event nations. Alongside our ability to host a fantastic championship for athletes and fans, we aim to inspire other IHF members and future and potential host countries through the event. Just four months ago, Denmark hosted a fantastic Women's World Championship together with Norway and Sweden, and in just nine months, it will be the men's turn to compete for the world championship, including in Denmark,” says Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark.
The championship in 2031 will be the seventh time in history that Denmark and Norway organize a major handball championship together and the first time in the company of the Nordic friends from Iceland.
Previous IHF Men’s World Championships in the Nordic countries:
1954, Sweden
1967, Sweden
1978, Denmark
1993, Sweden
1995, Iceland
2011, Sweden
2019, Denmark (and Germany)
2023, Sweden (and Poland)
2025, Denmark, Norway, (and Croatia)
2031, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland
At the IHF’s Council Meeting the following championships were awarded:
Women’s World Championships 2029: Spain
Men’s World Championships 2029: Germany/France
Women’s World Championships 2031: Czech Republic/Poland
Men’s World Championships 2031: Denmark/Norway/Iceland
