The 2026 European Men's U-20 Handball Championship, commonly referred to as the M20 EHF Euro 2026, was the 15th edition of the European Men's U-20 Handball Championship, the biennial international under-20 men's handball championship of Europe organized by EHF. It was will be hosted by Romania from 8 to 19 July 2026, marking the third time the event will be held in the country, after 1996 and 2008. The final will be in Cluj-Napoca.
24 teams participated for the second time, following the expansion in 2024. This tournament will act as a qualifier for the 2027 IHF Men's U21 Handball World Championship in North Macedonia, with 15 spots available.
Spain are the defending champions, having beaten Portugal in the 2024 final in Celje. Hungary won their first title after beating Sweden 34–32 at the BTarena.
Bidding process
On 13 December 2024, at a meeting in Vienna, the hosting rights were awarded to Romania. This will be the third time Romania hosts the tournament after 1996 and 2008.
Format The tournament consisted of three phases: The first two were played in a round-robin-groups format. The third phase was played in a playoff format with consolations.
In the First phase, 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four.
The top two teams from each group advanced to the Main round. The third- and fourth-placed teams advanced to the Intermediate round.
In the Second phase, all teams were again divided into groups of four, but this time, against the teams that advanced to the same round as them. Each separate round (Main and Intermediate) was played by 12 teams, divided into three groups of four.
In the Main round, the top two teams from each group and the best two third-placed teams advanced to the quarterfinals. The other four teams advanced to the 9th–16th place playoffs. In the Intermediate round, the winners of each group and the best second-placed team advanced to the 9th–16th place playoffs. The other eight teams advanced to the 17th–24th place playoffs.
In the Third phase, the teams were divided into three playoff tiers of eight teams each, with each team playing three more matches there. Each of the three playoffs consisted of four quarterfinals, two semifinals, two consolation semifinals, and four final placement matches.
The format changed from the previous edition. This new format was previously adopted in the 2025 women's under age European Championships.
Venues The venues will be in Cluj-Napoca and Turda. Cluj-Napoca Cluj-Napoca Turda BTarena Horia Demian Sports Hall TU Turda Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 2,525 Capacity: 3,183
Draw
The draw was held on 24 February 2026 in Vienna. Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4
Preliminary round Tiebreakers In the group stages (preliminary and main rounds), teams are ranked according to points (2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If two or more teams have the same number of points, the ranking will be determined as follows: During the round matches Superior goal difference from all group matches; Higher number of goals scored in all group matches; Alphabetical order. After completion of the round matches Highest number of points in matches between the teams directly involved; Superior goal difference in matches between the teams directly involved; Highest number of goals scored in matches between the teams directly involved; Superior goal difference in all matches of the group; Highest number of plus goals in all matches of the group; If the ranking of one of these teams is determined, the above criteria are consecutively followed until the ranking of all teams is determined. If no ranking can be determined, a decision shall be obtained by EHF through drawing of lots. Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Intermediate round Group I
Group II
Group III
Ranking of second-placed teams
Main round Points and goals gained in the preliminary group against teams that advanced were transferred to the main round.
Group I
Group II
Group III
Ranking of third-placed teams
17th–24th place playoffs
17th–24th place quarterfinals
21st–24th place semifinals
23rd place match
21st place match
17th–20th place semifinals
19th place match
17th place match
9th–16th place playoffs
9th–16 place quarterfinals
13–16th place semifinals
15 place match
13 place match
9th–12th place semifinals
11th place match
9th place match
Championship playoffs
Quarterfinals
5th–8th place semifinals
7th place match
5th place match
Semifinals
Third place game
Final
Final ranking
Rank Team456789101112131415161718192021222324
2026 European Men's U-20 Handball Championship HungaryFirst title
Team roster: László Várady-Szabó, Ádám Kristóf Balogh, Péter Gazsó, Koppany Pinter, Máté Kucsera, Máté Mészáros, Máté Fazekas, Máté Gáncs-Pető, Márkó Eklemovic, Dávid Horváth, Ádám Horváth-Garaba, Botond Apró, Péter Vincze, Márton Furka, Zalán Zakor, Zsombor Szujó.Head Coach: László Sótonyi
All Star Team The all-star team was announced on 19 July 2026.
Position Player Most valuable player Liam Hultberg Best defender Máté Mészáros Goalkeeper Viggo Håkansson Right wing Alfred Arnelin Right back Måns Fredriksson Centre back Márkó Eklemovic Pivot Arvid Andreasson Left back Aljuš Anžic Left wing Simon Sejer Kristensen Top scorer Valdis Kalniņš
2026 Men’s U-20 EHF Championship I Rank Team456
2026 Men’s U-20 EHF Championship II Rank Team456
Broadcasting rights The television channels broadcasting the event is as follows:
TerritoryRights holderRest of Europe
Outside of Europe TerritoryRights holderRest of World
References
External links
Official website