Handball Global Market Report 2025

Handball is a team sport played on an indoor court where two teams pass and dribble a small ball with their hands to score by throwing it into the opponent's goal, with seven players on each side including a goalkeeper. The objective is to outscore the opponent while promoting fitness, coordination, and teamwork through fast and strategic play.

The key types of handball are indoor handball, beach handball, and field handball. Indoor handball is a dynamic, fast-paced sport played on an indoor court where two teams compete to score goals by passing and throwing the ball into the opposing team's net. The primary demographic groups participating in the sport include children (5-12 years), teens (13-19 years), young adults (20-35 years), adults (36-50 years), and seniors (50+ years). Revenue sources include ticket sales, sponsorships and partnerships, media rights, merchandise sales, and memberships and subscriptions, distributed through channels such as online stores, specialty stores, supermarkets or hypermarkets, and others. It serves various end users including clubs and associations, schools and colleges, individual players, youth and junior handball, professional players, and amateur players.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the recreation sector, particularly in the supply of imported sports equipment, outdoor gear, and leisure products. Manufacturers and retailers are facing higher costs for items such as bicycles, camping gear, fitness machines, and gaming consoles, much of which are sourced from overseas with limited domestic alternatives. Small businesses operating in the recreational retail space are especially affected, with some reducing inventory or increasing prices to offset margin pressure. Event organizers and recreational facilities are also facing cost hikes for imported equipment and infrastructure materials. In response, the industry is exploring alternative sourcing from tariff-free regions, increasing reliance on local suppliers, and urging policymakers to consider exemptions for non-essential but widely used recreational products.

The handball market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides handball market statistics, including handball industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a handball market share, detailed handball market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the handball industry. This handball market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The handball market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.19 billion in 2024 to $1.27 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the expansion of grassroots clubs, inclusion of the sport in school physical education programs, success of national teams and increased visibility through major tournaments, rising urbanization driving demand for indoor recreational activities, and growth in corporate sponsorship and local patronage.

The handball market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.66 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the expansion of youth academies and talent development pathways, rising participation of women and girls in the sport, increased government investment in multipurpose indoor arenas, growth in school and college-level competitions, and the rise of corporate wellness and community sport initiatives. Major trends in the forecast period include ultra-wideband-connected ball tracking, radio frequency identification-enabled player and equipment tagging, computer vision-based officiating and instant replay systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven performance analytics, and internet of things-enabled smart arenas and equipment.

The increasing awareness of physical activity is expected to drive the growth of the handball market in the coming years. Physical activity refers to any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure, encompassing various forms such as exercise, sports, occupational tasks, and daily movements. A key factor contributing to the growing awareness of physical activity is the widespread dissemination of health education, as well-informed individuals are more likely to understand the physical, mental, and social benefits of regular movement, promoting a culture of active living. Handball serves as an engaging, team-based sport that not only encourages participation across different age groups but also highlights the social and health benefits of consistent physical activity. For instance, in June 2024, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a Switzerland based United Nations agency, global efforts are focused on achieving a 10 percent relative reduction in physical inactivity among adults and adolescents by 2025, increasing to 15 percent by 2030. Therefore, the increasing awareness of physical activity is driving the growth of the handball market.

Key companies operating in the handball market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as smart and sustainable handballs to enhance gameplay precision and promote environmental responsibility. A smart and sustainable handball is an advanced sports ball that integrates sensor technology for real time performance tracking and is made from eco friendly or recycled materials to reduce environmental impact. For instance, in April 2024, Handball Bundesliga GmbH (HBL), a Germany based professional handball league organization, launched the Planet HBL. The product features integrated motion sensing technology that records live data such as ball speed and trajectory, improving analytics and fan engagement. Additionally, it uses recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials, demonstrating the growing focus on sustainability and resource efficiency in professional handball equipment.

In June 2024, EHF Marketing GmbH, an Austria based sports marketing subsidiary of the European Handball Federation, extended its official match ball partnership with SELECT Sport A S to supply official match balls and equipment for Europe's premier club competitions. Through this partnership, EHF Marketing ensures a unified ball supply and branding for EHF club tournaments for four seasons (2024 25-2027 28), supporting consistent equipment standards, event activations, and product innovation across elite competitions. SELECT Sport A S is a Denmark based sports equipment and ball manufacturer.

Major players in the handball market are Nike Inc., Adidas AG, Decathlon S.A., Puma SE, Under Armour, Asics Corporation, Mizuno Corporation, Hummel International, Bison Inc., Molten Corporation, Select Sport, Joma Sport, COSCO Sports Equipment, Givova, Jako AG, Erima GmbH, Errea, Rovia Sports, Stanno Pty Ltd., Salming Sports AB, and Kempa Sports.

Europe was the largest region in the handball market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in handball report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the handball market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The handball market consists of sales of handball training equipment, coaching accessories, goalkeeper gloves, player bags, water bottles, whistles, scoreboards, and court flooring systems. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Handball Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on handball market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for handball ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The handball market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Indoor Handball; Beach Handball; Field Handball
• 2) By Demographic: Children (5-12 Years); Teens (13-19 Years); Young Adults (20-35 Years); Adults (36-50 Years); Seniors (50+ Years)
• 3) By Revenue Source: Ticket Sales; Sponsorships And Partnerships; Media Rights; Merchandise Sales; Membership And Subscriptions
• 4) By Distribution Channel: Online Stores; Specialty Stores; Supermarkets Or Hypermarkets; Other Distribution Channels
• 5) By End-User: Clubs And Associations; Schools And Colleges; Individual Players; Youth And Junior Handball; Professional Players; Amateur Players
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Indoor Handball: Synthetic Balls; Foldable Goals; Grip Shoes; Knee Pads; Wrist Guards
• 2) By Beach Handball: Saltwater Balls; Sand Nets; Barefoot Socks; Sun Hats; Sunglasses
• 3) By Field Handball: Leather Balls; Steel Frame Goals; Studded Cleats; Elbow Guards; Shin Guards
• Companies Mentioned: Nike Inc.; Adidas AG; Decathlon S.A.; Puma SE; Under Armour; Asics Corporation; Mizuno Corporation; Hummel International; Bison Inc.; Molten Corporation; Select Sport; Joma Sport; COSCO Sports Equipment; Givova; Jako AG; Erima GmbH; Errea; Rovia Sports; Stanno Pty Ltd.; Salming Sports AB; Kempa Sports.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.