Prague Handball Cup: City Hosts 3,000 Matches from Around the World
Prague becomes a hub for youth handball over Easter as the 33rd Prague Handball Cup welcomes over 800 teams from 24 countries to more than 50 venues across the city.
World's Largest Indoor Tournament Kicks Off its 33rd Edition
The Czech capital has once again transformed into a global center for youth handball over the Easter weekend. The Prague Handball Cup (PHC), the world's largest indoor handball tournament, has begun its 33rd edition, attracting 824 teams from 24 countries to Prague. From Friday, April 3rd, to Monday, April 6th, nearly 3,000 matches will be played on the courts – a number unparalleled in indoor sports.
Fifteen Thousand Participants in 56 Venues
The tournament utilizes more than 56 sports halls located throughout Prague and its surroundings. Most courts have official dimensions of 40 × 20 meters, while smaller categories play on reduced courts of 36 × 18 meters. Organizers expect around 15,000 participants – not including the parents and fans who accompany the young players.
This year's edition carries the motto "Emotions" and is open to boys and girls born in 2007 and later. Competition takes place in ten age categories – five for boys (MA to ME) and five for girls (WA to WE), covering the entire spectrum of youth handball.
A Tradition Since 1992
The Prague Handball Cup has been held annually at Easter since 1992, when the first edition welcomed 92 teams from 10 countries. Since then, the tournament has grown steadily. The record-breaking 28th edition in 2019 saw 635 teams from 29 countries, over 10,000 players, and 2,396 matches played with the assistance of 200 referees and more than 300 volunteers. This year's numbers significantly surpass that record.
The tournament attracts clubs, school teams, and regional representatives from across Europe and overseas. Historically, Czech and Hungarian teams have dominated – in 2019, Prague's DHC Slavia Praha was the overall winner.
Unique Format and Economic Impact
Each team is guaranteed a minimum of six matches in the group stage. Successful teams can play up to eleven matches, including the final. One of the specialties of the PHC is the shoot-out – an original way of deciding drawn knockout matches, in which an attacker faces the goalkeeper one-on-one.
The tournament center is located in Galerie Harfa in Prague 9, which houses accreditation, information services, and an accompanying program. The event also has a significant economic impact on Prague – thousands of foreign visitors fill hotels, restaurants, and use public transport throughout the extended weekend.
Prague as a Sports Destination
The Prague Handball Cup confirms the Czech capital's position as a major host of international sporting events. The semi-final and final matches will take place on Monday, April 6th, bringing a culmination to the four-day handball marathon, which surpasses most professional tournaments in its scale.
