Published on May 15th, 2025
Location: Global
SPORTFIVE Brokers Groundbreaking Media Rights Deal for IHF Handball World Championships 2026–2031
Hamburg, May 15, 2025. In a major development for the german handball community, leading international sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE has successfully brokered two landmark media rights partnerships on behalf of the International Handball Federation (IHF). The result is a dynamic alliance with ProSiebenSat.1 and Dyn Media, securing extensive broadcast coverage of the Men’s and Women’s IHF Handball World Championships from 2026 through 2031 across both free-to-air and pay-TV platforms in Germany.
With the objective to further promote and grow international handball in one of the key markets, SPORTFIVE was able to craft a tailored solution that significantly enhances handball's reach and commercial value.
“This partnership is a testament to the power of strategic media rights expertise and collaboration,”said Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE. “We are proud to have facilitated this game-changing agreement on behalf of the IHF. By bringing together the complementary strengths of ProSiebenSat.1 and Dyn Media, we’re not just delivering world-class handball to more fans, we’re helping redefine its place in the broader sports and entertainment landscape.”
"By bringing together the complementary strengths of ProSiebenSat.1 and Dyn Media, we’re not just delivering world-class handball to more fans, we’re helping redefine its place in the broader sports and entertainment landscape.”
Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE
Elevating Handball Visibility in Germany and Beyond
This dual-platform approach enables maximum visibility and accessibility for handball’s most prestigious events, appealing to both casual viewers and dedicated fans. With Germany set to host and co-host the upcoming two Men’s World Championships during the contractual term (2027 and 2029), the timing couldn’t be more impactful.
ProSiebenSat.1: Free-to-Air Home for Key Handball Moments
Through this agreement, ProSiebenSat.1 secures the free-to-air rights to:
Senior Men’s and Women’s World Championships (2027, 2029, 2031)
All matches of the German national teams
Up to 8 additional matches per tournament without German participation, including the final, one of the semi-finals, and one quarter-final..
Olympic Qualification Tournaments 2028 (Men and Women)
All matches involving the German teams.
Men’s U21 World Championships (2027, 2029, 2031)
Full coverage of German national team matches
For the pinnacle events in international handball, all matches of the men’s German national team will be broadcasted on the flagship channel ProSieben. Furthermore, the agreement with ProSiebenSat.1 will boost the coverage of the women events to another level, as all matches of the German national team will be shown on linear TV. Finally, to underline the commitment to grow the sport, all matches of the reigning U21 World Champions will be made available for free via the ProSiebenSat.1 services (2027, 2029, 2031).
Beyond live broadcasts, ProSiebenSat.1 will integrate handball into its wider entertainment ecosystem. Audiences can expect a new level of engagement through original formats, behind-the-scenes content, and in-depth tournament storytelling, positioning handball at the forefront of mainstream sports coverage in Germany.
Dyn Media: Comprehensive Pay-TV Coverage for the Handball Community
Simultaneously, Dyn Media secures pay-TV rights to offer all-encompassing handball coverage:
Senior Men’s and Women’s World Championships (2027, 2029, 2031)
All matches live.
Olympic Qualification Tournaments 2028 (Men and Women)
All matches live.
Youth & Junior World Championships Tournaments
At least all matches involving the German U21/U19 (Men) and U20/U18 (Women) national teams.
Beach Handball World Championships (Men and Women)
Minimum coverage of all German team matches.
The Dyn Media platform ensures that fans will have access to every single match, including those beyond the German teams, catering to the growing and passionate handball community with extensive and premium content.
A Strategic Win for the IHF and Global Handball
This successful outcome is the result of SPORTFIVE’s holistic approach to rights management. By aligning the IHF’s long-term growth ambitions with the strengths of both broadcast partners, SPORTFIVE has secured a blueprint for sustainable audience expansion and commercial success.
The comprehensive nature of this agreement, with far-reaching implications for visibility, fan engagement, and storytelling marks a new chapter for handball in Germany and sets a benchmark for global handball broadcasting.
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Handball, Motorsport, Esports, Cricket, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events, Wintersports and many more.
Press contacts
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David Rothenhaeuser
Vice President and Head of Global Marketing Communications
david.rothenhaeuser@sportfive.com
