Uniting the World through Handball
During this year's Partille World Cup 2026, 23,500 participants from 36 countries met on equal terms in Gothenburg. This builds international relations, increases understanding between people, and strengthens the global handball community.

The Stars of the Future Meet Here
Some of the world's most promising players have participated in the Partille World Cup, and every year new young talents come. Here, they gain inspiration, experience the joy of the sport, and find motivation to continue developing.

The Tournament Develops the Sport on Multiple Levels
Coaches, leaders, referees, and volunteers gain experience, training, and international networks. A clear example is the development of referees. Of this year's 310 referees, 80 participated in the Referee School, where they were coached by mentors with international experience. Here, they officiate their first international matches, learn to communicate with clear body language when they do not share a language with the players, and encounter different cultures and leadership styles.

New Handball Nations Are Inspired
Nations such as Peru, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh participate and gain inspiration to develop handball in their home countries. The participants take with them knowledge, experiences, and ideas that contribute to the sport's development long after the tournament is over.

Young People Create Memories that Strengthen their Passion for Handball
The Partille World Cup is about more than just the matches. The opening ceremony, meetings with youth from around the world, and the community create a feeling of being part of something bigger among the participants. This fosters pride and strengthens the desire to continue in handball.

An Important Development Environment for Future National Team Players
Through the European Open Championship, young talents receive valuable experience of international national team play early on. This year, 20 girls' national teams competed in the 16-year-old category. Since the championship became a qualifier for the U20 World Championship, its significance and prestige have increased even further.

Handball Reaches an Audience Worldwide
This year, all matches were livestreamed, generating a total of 655,000 views, with viewers from all participating countries following the tournament. Thus, the interest in youth handball spreads far beyond Gothenburg.

The Public Interest in Handball is Growing
The finals at Heden attracted around 14,600 spectators, who experienced international handball at the highest level across all age categories. Sweden was the largest participating nation, but of the 18 age categories, 13 were won by teams from other countries – Denmark, the Faroe Islands, France, and Germany. Denmark emerged as the most successful nation with ten final victories.