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Twenty years after Germany's 2007 title, the Men's Handball World Championship returns to Germany. Matches are played in January 2027 in Munich, Stuttgart, Kiel, Magdeburg, Hanover and Cologne. Here are the key dates, the official ticket routes and tips for travel and accommodation.

Venues and format

In the preliminary round (13 to 19 January), eight groups of four play in four cities, two groups per arena. The top three of each group advance to the main round; the bottom teams play for the President's Cup in Magdeburg.

• Munich, SAP Garden: Group A with Germany and Group C with Croatia – including the opening match and ceremony on 13 January.
• Stuttgart, Porsche-Arena: Group B with Switzerland and Group D with France.
• Kiel, Wunderino Arena: Group E with Sweden and Norway, and Group G with defending champions Denmark.
• Magdeburg, GETEC Arena: Group F with Portugal and Group H with Iceland.

The main round (20 to 25 January) is played in Cologne (LANXESS arena) and Hanover (ZAG Arena). If Germany qualify, Alfred Gislason's team play their main round and quarter-final in Cologne. The final weekend with semi-finals, bronze match and the final on 31 January also takes place at the LANXESS arena.

Germany's games in Munich

All three of Germany's preliminary-round games start at 8:30 pm (CET) at SAP Garden:

• Wednesday, 13 January 2027: Germany v Tunisia (opening day; the first match starts at 5:30 pm, followed by the opening ceremony)
• Friday, 15 January 2027: Uruguay v Germany
• Sunday, 17 January 2027: Germany v Serbia

On the other preliminary-round days, games usually throw off at 6 pm and 8:30 pm, in the main round at 3:30 pm, 6 pm and 8:30 pm. Times for Group D with France and a possible French main-round group in Cologne may differ slightly. The official schedule on handball2027.com is binding.

Tickets: last chance from 1 December

Tickets are sold only via the official tournament website handball2027.com and eventim. Demand is huge: Germany's matchdays in Munich and Cologne sold out within minutes again in the third ticket phase in September. The fourth and final ticket phase starts on 1 December 2026 – the last time new allocations go on sale.

Your best chances are matchdays without Germany, for example in Stuttgart, Kiel or Magdeburg, and the main-round games of the other groups. A day ticket usually covers all matches played in the arena that day – so you see two games for one ticket.

Avoid unauthorised resale platforms: prices are often far above face value, and there is no guarantee your ticket will be valid at the gate.

Getting to the arenas

• Munich: SAP Garden is in the Olympic Park. The easiest way is the U3 underground towards Olympiazentrum, then a short walk.
• Cologne: The LANXESS arena is in Deutz, right next to Köln Messe/Deutz station – ideal if you arrive by long-distance train.
• Kiel: The Wunderino Arena is within walking distance of the main station.
• Stuttgart, Magdeburg, Hanover: All three arenas are reached from the main station by S-Bahn, light rail or tram.

In January, winter weather can make driving difficult, and parking is scarce on matchdays. The train is usually the more relaxed option. Check current timetables and any extra services with the local transport operators.

Where to stay

Hotels in Munich and Cologne get expensive quickly around Germany's matchdays. Book with free cancellation as soon as your ticket is confirmed. In Munich, Schwabing, Münchner Freiheit and the area around the main station are well connected. In Cologne, hotels in Deutz are right next to the arena; the old town around the cathedral and main station is just one S-Bahn stop away.

Things to do in the host cities

Between matchdays, explore the city: the Olympic Park and old town in Munich, the cathedral and an old-town tour in Cologne, or the Kiel Fjord.

Sources: German Handball Federation (dhb.de, news of 18 June and 4 September 2026), official tournament website handball2027.com, City of Munich (muenchen.de). Last checked: 4 November 2026. Dates and throw-off times may change – the organisers' information is binding.

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Tickets: what still works after the ballot

As in previous years, tickets were allocated by ballot. Subscribers to the PDCTV streaming service could register first in early September, followed by the general application window from 8 to 14 September 2026. If you missed out, you still have three options:

• Official returns: Check the official PDC website and the official ticket partner regularly. Returned tickets often appear there at short notice.
• Packages from official partners: Some tour operators sell hotel-and-ticket packages. Check whether the operator names official tickets and what the cancellation terms are.
• Secondary market only with caution: On resale platforms prices are often far above face value, and entry is not guaranteed. We advise against it.

Our tip: start planning for the 2027/28 championship now – the ballot usually opens again in late summer.

The sessions: table or tiered seating?

Ally Pally has tables on the floor and seats in the tiered stands. The atmosphere is loudest at the tables – fancy dress, chants and signs are part of it. If you want to follow the darts closely, the stands are better. The early rounds right after the start and the sessions between the holidays are usually easier to get than the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Getting there from Germany and beyond

By train and Eurostar: Take the train to Brussels and the Eurostar on to London St Pancras. St Pancras is right next to King's Cross – trains to Alexandra Palace station leave from there.

By plane: There are direct flights to London from many European airports. From Heathrow, the Piccadilly line takes you straight to Wood Green; from the other airports you travel via central London.

From your hotel to Ally Pally

• By train: From King's Cross or Moorgate to Alexandra Palace station, then a 10 to 15-minute walk up the hill.
• By Tube and bus: Piccadilly line to Wood Green, then bus W3 to the palace.
• Getting back: Evening sessions finish late. Plan your way home in advance and expect queues for buses and trains.

Where to stay

Two areas work well: King's Cross and St Pancras – central, with direct trains to Ally Pally and ideal if you arrive by Eurostar. Or Wood Green and Finsbury Park – closer to the palace and often cheaper, with quick Piccadilly line connections. London hotels are in demand over Christmas and New Year; book with free cancellation as soon as your ticket is confirmed.

London between sessions

The afternoons before an evening session are perfect for a London day: Christmas markets, a tour of one of the big football stadiums or a classic sightseeing tour.

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Tickets: how UEFA sells the final

Final tickets are not on general sale. UEFA splits them up: a large allocation goes to the two finalists, who pass them on to their members and fans. Another share is allocated to the general public by ballot on the official UEFA website – in recent years the application window was usually in spring. Watch UEFA's official announcements and register in time.

Important: UEFA has recently issued final tickets as personalised mobile tickets. Tickets offered elsewhere may be invalid. Official hospitality packages are only available through the UEFA hospitality programme.

Why you should start planning now

The finalists are only known after the second legs of the semi-finals on 4/5 May – leaving about a month. During that time, flight and hotel prices in Madrid rise sharply. Booking a hotel with free cancellation early secures a good location at a fair price, and you can cancel for free if needed.

Getting to Madrid

There are direct flights to Madrid-Barajas from many European airports. The Metropolitano is in the east of the city and therefore relatively close to the airport. Travelling by train takes long but is possible in stages via Paris and Barcelona.

To the stadium on final day

• Metro: Line 7 stops at "Estadio Metropolitano" station right next to the stadium. Expect big crowds on final day – allow plenty of time.
• Fan zones: For finals, UEFA usually sets up fan festivals for both sets of supporters. UEFA publishes locations and times before the match.
• Getting back: After the final whistle and trophy ceremony, metro stations are packed. Staying within walking distance of a line 7 station is a clear advantage.

Where to stay

Good areas are the centre around Sol and Gran Vía – lively and served by many metro lines – and neighbourhoods along Metro line 7, which runs to the stadium without changes. If you fly out early the next morning, there are also hotels near Barajas airport.

Madrid for football fans

Madrid is a football city: besides the Metropolitano, a tour of Real Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is well worth it. It has hosted four European Cup finals – in 2027 Madrid hosts a final for the sixth time.

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Getting there: U6 to Fröttmaning

The easiest way is the U6 underground line to Fröttmaning station. From there it is about a 15-minute walk along the esplanade to the arena. The U6 runs right through the city centre (including Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz and Münchner Freiheit), so you usually don't need to change.

For Bundesliga matches, your ticket usually also works as a ticket for Munich's public transport. The exact conditions are printed on your ticket. By car you take the A9; the arena car park fills up fast on matchdays and leaving takes time.

Tickets: the genuine route

Bayern home games are in high demand and season tickets have been sold out for years. FC Bayern sells single tickets through its official ticket shop, often to members first. Returned tickets are passed on via the club's official resale platform. As an away fan, go through your own club's away allocation.

We advise against offers on unauthorised platforms: Bayern tickets are personalised, and resold tickets can be cancelled.

What can I bring?

Bags and backpacks larger than A4 are generally not allowed into the arena. Travel light and leave bigger bags at your hotel. You'll find the current stadium regulations on FC Bayern's website – they are updated from time to time.

Where to stay

There are hardly any hotels around Fröttmaning. A better choice is somewhere along the U6. In Schwabing and around Münchner Freiheit you are quickly at the stadium, with bars and restaurants on your doorstep. If you want to see the city, stay around Marienplatz and Sendlinger Tor – also with a direct U6 connection.

Arena tour & FC Bayern Museum

Worth a visit even without a match ticket: the arena tour shows you the dressing rooms, players' tunnel and press area, and the FC Bayern Museum tells the club's story. Tours are limited on matchdays and during events – plan your visit for the day before or after the match.

Munich around matchday

After the match, many fans head into the city centre. If you stay longer, combine your trip with a city tour, a beer garden visit or a day trip to the Alps.

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