Copenhagen challenges Herning for handball championships

Copenhagen is seeking to host the 2031 men’s World Championship and the 2032 women’s European Championship, challenging Herning, which has hosted eight handball tournaments since 2010, DR reports.

The board of Danish Handball is meeting this evening to discuss which city should be awarded the events. DR handball expert Lars Krogh Jeppesen says Herning may have to give way, at least in part, to Copenhagen, citing potential commercial benefits and interest from companies and sponsors.

Herning City manager Mariann Vinding Kristensen said the tournaments bring thousands of visitors and benefit the whole city, not just Jyske Bank Boxen, the arena where matches are held.

Copenhagen’s culture, leisure and citizen services mayor, Christopher Røhl, said hosting the events would be a major opportunity for the capital. The municipality has set aside 26 million kroner from its Megaevent Fund to stage them. Røhl said Copenhagen has some of the country’s largest handball clubs by membership and that both club members and other fans would welcome the tournaments.

Denmark will co-host the 2031 men’s World Championship with Norway and Iceland. The 2032 women’s European Championship is to be held jointly with Poland and Germany.

Handball stars Mathias Gidsel and Emil Nielsen said they did not want the tournaments limited to either Herning or Copenhagen. Gidsel said handball should be for all of Denmark, while Nielsen praised both Royal Arena in Copenhagen and Boxen in Herning.

A decision may not be made this evening. If one is reached, Danish Handball is expected to announce it on Tuesday or Wednesday. The federation has previously said Copenhagen is its first choice as host city, with Herning second. Danish Handball and both municipalities declined to be interviewed before the meeting.