All you need to know about the Beach Handball Champions Cup 2026

What is the EHF Beach Handball Champions Cup?

The EHF Beach Handball Champions Cup is the last major club beach handball event of the calendar year, bringing together national club champions from across Europe. It is one of the most coveted titles in the sport.

When and where is the competition taking place?

The Champions Cup 2026 will return to Porto Santo, Portugal, which has hosted the last four editions of the event. Porto Santo is an island in the Madeira archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, famed for its golden sandy beaches — ideal for beach handball.

What is the tournament format?

The tournament features 16 men's and 16 women's teams. For each of the men's and women's tournaments, the teams are divided into four groups of four for the preliminary round. Each side plays three group matches.

The top three teams in each group will progress to the main round — two groups of six teams — while the bottom-ranked teams play a consolation round to determine places 13 to 16.

The top four teams in each of the two main round groups progress to the knockout quarter-finals, with the winners playing the semi-finals to determine the finalists. Placement and cross-matches determine placings 5 to 12. 

Who is competing in the EHF Beach Handball Champions Cup 2026?

Teams from 11 countries will participate in the competition, including reigning champions Nazaré BHT (men) and CBMP Ciudad de Málaga (women). 

Men's competition

Group A: Nazaré BHT (POR), Aarhus Beach (DEN), MKS Alba Sphinx Grudziądz (POL), Hiekka Hauskaa (NED)

Group B: 12 Monkeys Köln (GER), Kävlinge HK (SWE), BHC Rappi - Jona (SUI), Alba Fehérvár (HUN)

Group C: CBMP Ciudad De Málaga (ESP), Frenchy's Beach Handball (FRA), Black Lake Beach (NED), GRD Leça - SPAR (POR)

Group D: HIR-Sat BHC (HUN), VRT/Lemar (POR), London Beach Handball (GBR), Ry Beach (DEN) 

Women's competition

Group A: CBMP Ciudad de Málaga (ESP), Associação Desportiva - ADG (POR), BHT Byczki Kowalewo Pomorskie (POL), Tempo Donna Mamma (HUN)

Group B: C. BM. Getasur SF (ESP), The Danish Beach Handball Dream (DEN), Copaca - Bâlerina (SUI), GRD Leça - Love Tiles (POR)

Group C: Beach Unicorns Hannover (GER), Beaurepaire Beach Handball (FRA), London United Beach Handball (GBR), Hiekka Hauskaa (NED)

Group D: Next Wave (NED), Red Velvet BHC-Bomba (HUN), Club Handbol Xàbia (ESP), Young Guns Bremen (GER)

Will there be an All-star Team?

Yes. Fans will be able to vote on eurohandball.com for their standout player to determine the MVP, best goalkeeper and best defender for both the men's and women's tournaments. Keep an eye on the website!

Who is playing when?

The preliminary round matches will throw off on Thursday, 15 October. The quarter-final knockout stage is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with the competition unfolding on Sunday, when the new champions will be crowned. The full schedule will be released soon. 

How to follow the EHF Beach Handball Champions Cup 2026

Watch all EHF Beach Handball Champions Cup 2026 matches live on EHFTV with the day and tournament passes and follow the action on the dedicated Instagram channel. If you want to receive the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up to the Beach Handball Newsletter.

Photos © kolektiff