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Dramatic changes: handball clubs fight for indoor standards!
The Handball Bundesliga Women decides on new indoor standards until 2028/29; Zwickau receives financial support for infrastructure.
Dramatic changes: handball clubs fight for indoor standards!
The Handball Bundesliga Women (HBF) is facing a change that will have far-reaching consequences for the clubs. A new transitional regulation was decided at a general meeting, which applies until the end of the 2028/29 season. Now the clubs have to adapt to changing hall requirements, which bring with them both opportunities and challenges. Several clubs are facing imminent financial decisions that could significantly determine their future. Handball World reports the details of this new regulation.
A central element of the new regulations is that the clubs' halls must either have a minimum capacity of 1,500 spectators or two longitudinal stands with 1,200 seats each. Clubs that do not meet these requirements must expect compensation payments of between 27,500 and 35,000 euros. Eight out of twelve current first division clubs already benefit from the necessary infrastructure. Zwickau, for example, will receive a financial injection of 216,000 euros from the city council to cover the rental costs.
Transition period offers leeway
One of the clubs under pressure is SV Union Halle-Neustadt. This will play its home games in the SWH.arena in the 2025/2026 season. However, this modern hall, which has existed since July 2014, only has a capacity of 1,200 seats and therefore does not fully meet the requirements. Nevertheless, the association received an exemption that is linked to the payment of compensation. Handball pope reported that, for example, there is a planned expansion of the SWH.arena in order to permanently meet these requirements in the future.
At the end of the transition period, which was extended under pressure from many clubs, every club must play in halls that meet all the conditions. From the 2029/30 season onwards there will no longer be any scope for exceptions. This was seen as a necessary measure as part of the professionalization strategy that has been pursued since 2020. Despite the controversy caused by the indoor conditions, this now sets a clear path for the future of women's handball. The German Handball Association emphasizes the importance of professionalization and the need to raise women's handball to a new level as a growth area in European sport.
Financing ideas
The financial challenges are enormous for the clubs affected. SV Union Halle-Neustadt in particular has already initiated measures to collect the funds needed to cover compensation payments. The support of fans and sponsors is considered essential. Other clubs, such as HSG Bensheim/Auerbach or Borussia Dortmund, which had to move to other halls last season, are also in a similar situation and have to find solutions to meet the requirements.
A closer look shows that the pressure on the clubs is great. They not only have to rethink the current seasons, but also develop long-term strategies in order to continuously meet the high standards and operate in a first-class manner over the long term.
It remains to be seen how the clubs will adapt to the new conditions in the coming years. What is certain is that the implementation of these regulations will set women's handball on a more professional course, which will strengthen the sport as a whole.