Women’s EHF EURO 2024: A Record-Breaking Success in the Heart of Europe
Women’s Handball Soars to New Heights at EHF EURO 2024
Record-Breaking Attendance adn Global Reach Highlight Success of European Championship
The 2024 Women’s EHF EURO concluded with resounding success, shattering attendance records and captivating a global audience.
Nearly 200,000 fans packed arenas across the three host nations – Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland – marking a historic milestone for women’s handball. “We saw 5,000 fans in Switzerland and 3,500-4,000 fans in Austria, the highest numbers ever for women’s handball matches in those countries,” said Martin Hausleitner, EHF Secretary General. “The arena in Debrecen was sold-out several times, which is normal for Hungary, but the international appeal of the event was truly remarkable.”
Hausleitner highlighted the growing international fanbase, noting that EHF EURO events are attracting handball enthusiasts from across Europe.
The tournament’s reach extended far beyond the arenas, with broadcasts reaching 110 countries, a significant increase from the previous championship. Denmark and Norway, the finalists, saw particularly impressive viewership, with market shares between 50 and 60 percent and over one million viewers tuning in for each match.
Digital engagement also skyrocketed, with 220 million contacts and 80,000 new followers across the EHF’s 22 social media channels. A highlight reel of a stunning goal by Norwegian player Camilla Herrem garnered a staggering 32 million views.
Markus Plazer, President of the Austrian Handball Federation, expressed his delight with the tournament’s success. “We are highly satisfied with the outcome,” he said. “This was a grate championship in the heart of Europe.”
For Switzerland and Austria, this marked their first time hosting the Women’s EHF EURO, while Hungary welcomed the event for the third time. ”the event was a real push for women’s handball all over Europe,” plazer added.”But we need many more events like this to boost women’s handball in the future.”
The official flag handover ceremony for the next Women’s EHF EURO took place, with representatives from the EHF, the 2024 hosts, and the 2026 hosts – Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Romania, and Türkiye – signaling the continued growth and excitement surrounding women’s handball.
NewsDirectory3.com Exclusive Interview
women’s Handball on the Rise: An Interview with EHF Secretary General Martin Hausleitner
NewsDirectory3.com: The Women’s EHF EURO 2024 has just concluded adn it’s being hailed as a resounding success. Can you tell us about some of the key highlights?
Martin Hausleitner: This tournament has truly been historic. We witnessed record-breaking attendance figures across all three host nations, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. Over 200,000 fans packed the arenas, demonstrating the growing interest in women’s handball.
NewsDirectory3.com: That’s incredible! The numbers suggest a surge in popularity, especially in countries like Switzerland and Austria. Can you elaborate on that?
Martin Hausleitner: Absolutely. We saw 5,000 fans in Switzerland and 3,500-4,000 fans in Austria, which are the highest numbers ever recorded for women’s handball matches in those countries. The arena in Debrecen, Hungary, was sold out multiple times, which is fantastic, but the truly remarkable aspect was the international appeal, attracting handball enthusiasts from across Europe.
NewsDirectory3.com: Beyond the arenas, the tournament appears to have garnered a significant global reach.
Martin Hausleitner: Yes, the global reach was truly impressive. Broadcasts reached 110 countries, a substantial increase from previous championships.Denmark and Norway,the finalists,recorded particularly high viewership,with market shares between 50 and 60 percent,and over a million viewers tuning in for each match.
NewsDirectory3.com: Digital engagement also seems to have skyrocketed.
Martin Hausleitner: Indeed, the digital response has been phenomenal. We saw 220 million contacts and 80,000 new followers across our 22 social media channels.A highlight reel of a stunning goal by Norwegian player Camilla herrem garnered a staggering 32 million views, which showcases the power of social media in amplifying the excitement around the sport.
NewsDirectory3.com: The success of Women’s EHF EURO 2024 undoubtedly sets a high bar for future tournaments. What’s next for women’s handball?
Martin Hausleitner: This championship was a true testament to the growing popularity and potential of women’s handball. We need to build on this momentum and continue to host more events like this. The official flag handover ceremony to the 2026 hosts – Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Romania, and Türkiye – highlights the continued dedication to the growth and development of women’s handball in Europe.