How to Bet on Handball: Best Handball Betting Sites in the US

Handball might not be one of the most popular sports in the US, but its momentum gain is inevitable! With its exciting, fast-paced action that blends basketball’s speed and soccer’s strategy, handball is an exciting sport to watch—and even more thrilling to bet on.

If you’re not familiar with handball, don’t worry! Get ahead of the curve with our handball betting guide. We’ll help you get up to speed with everything you need to know to place smart, informed bets on handball games.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Find the best handball betting sites in the US.
• Understand basic handball rules.
• Discover the best tips and strategies to maximize your handball bets.
• Explore top handball events and matches to bet on.

Top Handball Betting Sites (2025)

Handball and Handball Betting in the US

Aspect	Details
🏛 The Legality	Legal in states with regulated sports betting.
📈 The Popularity	Handball remains niche in the US, with limited awareness compared to Europe. Interest peaks during global events like the Olympics, where Team USA competes.
🔍 The Current State	Amateur handball is played at a club level in colleges and through regional associations. The US handball community includes around 1,000 active players nationwide.
🌍 The Cultural Influence	Immigrant communities driving local leagues; cities like NYC and LA are hotbeds for handball enthusiasts.
🔮 The Outlook	Plans for a US-based professional handball league were announced in 2020, with a target launch in 2023 featuring 10 teams. However, as of 2025, the league has not materialized, and no updates indicate further progress.

Handball Rules: How Handball Works

Understanding the basic rules of handball will make your handball betting experience much more enjoyable, and it’s also easier than you think! Let’s take a quick look at some of the most important rules you need to know to get started.

The Basics

Handball is a team sport played with a small ball and two goals, one at each end of the court. Each team consists of seven players: six field players and one goalkeeper. The objective is simple—score more goals than the opposing team by throwing the ball into their goal.

Key Rules

• Match Duration: A handball game lasts 60 minutes, divided into two 30-minute halves. If the game ends in a tie during regular play, it moves into overtime, which consists of two five-minute periods. If the tie persists, the match is decided through penalty shootouts.
• Possession Rules: Players can hold the ball for up to three seconds and take a maximum of three steps while holding it. Afterward, they must pass, dribble, or shoot.
• Dribbling: Players can dribble the ball, but continuous dribbling like in basketball is not allowed. Once the ball is held after dribbling, they cannot dribble again.
• Shooting: Teams have 30 seconds to attempt a shot on goal after gaining possession; failure to do so results in a turnover.
• Fouls: Physical contact, like holding or pushing an opponent, results in free throws or penalties for the opposing team.
• Goal Area: Only the goalkeeper is allowed in the goal area (a semicircular zone around the goal). Field players cannot step into this area while handling the ball.

Most Popular Handball Betting Markets

Handball betting offers a variety of markets, many of which are similar to those found in other sports like soccer. Below is an overview of the most popular betting options for handball:

• Match Winner: Bet on which team will win the match, without considering goal margins.
• Handicap Betting (Point Spread): Bet on one team with a goal advantage or disadvantage to level the playing field.
• Total Goals (Over/Under): Predict if the total number of goals scored by both teams will be over or under the sportsbook’s set line.
• First Goal Scorer: Wager on which player will score the first goal of the match.
• Winning Margin: Bet on how many goals the winning team will score more than the losing team.
• Half-Time/Full-Time: Predict the result of both the first half and the full match.
• Player Performance Bets: Bet on an individual player’s performance (e.g., number of goals, assists, or penalties).
• Total Goals per Team: Predict if a specific team will score more or fewer goals than the set total.
• Draw No Bet: Bet on either team to win, with your stake returned if the game ends in a draw.

Major Handball Events to Bet On

From international championships to club competitions, there are many handball events for players to enjoy and bet on. Let’s look at some of the biggest ones.

IHF World Handball Championship

📅 Date: January 14 – February 2, 2025

📍 Location: Croatia, Denmark, and Norway

The IHF World Handball Championship is the ultimate battleground for the world’s best handball teams. Established in 1954, this biennial tournament features a preliminary round, main round, and knockout stage.

Fun Fact: The most successful team in the tournament history is France, with six titles.

Pan American Games Handball Tournament

📅 Date: July – August, 2027

📍 Location: Lima, Peru

The Pan American Games Handball Tournament features teams from North, Central, and South America. Held every four years, it’s a key qualifier for the Olympic Games and World Championships.

Fun Fact: Brazil’s men’s and women’s teams have been the most successful in Pan American handball history, with the men’s team winning 11 titles out of 16 tournaments.

Olympic Games Handball Tournament

📅 Date: July, 2028

📍 Location: Los Angeles, USA

Indoor handball has been a regular feature of the Olympic Games since 1972. Held every four years, the competition features national handball teams competing for gold. With the Olympics returning to Los Angeles in 2028, Team USA has a golden opportunity to revitalize handball’s popularity domestically.

Fun Fact: European countries have won every gold medal in men’s handball since it was introduced, while Korea broke the streak in women’s handball by winning gold in 1988.

EHF Champions League

📅 Date: September 11, 2024 – June 15, 2025

📍 Location: Various European cities

The European Handball Federation Champions League is Europe’s premier club handball competition. Skilled teams from Europe’s leading leagues compete in a group stage followed by knockouts leading to the Final Four. Held in Cologne, Germany, this year, the event features intense semi-finals and a climactic final all in one weekend.

Fun Fact: Germany’s Bundesliga clubs have historically dominated this tournament, with teams like SC Magdeburg, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, and Füchse Berlin capturing multiple titles.

EHF European League

📅 Date: August 31, 2024 – May 25, 2025

📍 Location: Various European cities

The EHF European League has a rich history dating back to 1994 and serves as a proving ground for teams and players aiming to compete in the Champions League. Unlike the Champions League, which is dominated by powerhouse clubs, the EHF European League often features clubs from a wider range of countries, giving lesser-known leagues and teams a chance to shine on the European stage.

Fun Fact: Many world-class handball players, including Nikola Karabatić and Mikkel Hansen, had their early European breakthroughs in this competition before rising to stardom in the Champions League and international tournaments.

Upcoming Matches in 2025

Date	Event	Match
8 February	EHF Champions League (Women’s)	Buducnost vs. Odense Håndbold
8 February	EHF Champions League (Women’s)	Krim Mercator Ljubljana vs. CS Gloria 2018 BN
9 February	EHF European League (Women’s)	BV Borussia Dortmund vs. Ikast Håndbold
18 February	EHF European League	GOG vs. Montpellier Handball
18 February	EHF European League	THW Kiel vs. FC Porto

How to Bet on Handball

Expert Strategies for Handball Betting

I was a beginner in handball betting just like you once, but over time, I learned strategies that helped me bet with more confidence. Here are some of the best ones:

1. Bet on Major European Leagues with a Time Zone Strategy

Since most high-profile handball events take place in Europe, it can be tough to follow the action due to time zone differences. But one advantage is that handball leagues like the EHF Champions League, Bundesliga, and Liga ASOBAL often play in the evenings in Europe, which could coincide with early evenings or late afternoons in the US.

📝 Pro Tip: Plan to place bets before games start, or use in-play betting during the late afternoon or evening hours in the US when these European leagues are active. The key is to bet on match outcomes after analyzing team stats, player availability, and team dynamics before the game begins.

2. Focus on Underrated Teams with Strong Domestic Form

Handball in the US is still growing, and as a result, betting knowledge for teams from outside the big-name European leagues (like Denmark, France, or Spain) may be underappreciated. Lesser-known teams can offer hidden value, especially in international tournaments.

📝 Pro Tip: Look for teams in leagues with lower visibility in the US but strong domestic form. Teams like Veszprém from Hungary or Wisla Plock from Poland may be undervalued in European tournaments, offering good odds.

3. Keep an Eye on Tournament Schedules and Fatigue

Handball is played across many high-stakes tournaments throughout the year, including the World Championships, European Championships, and domestic leagues. With multiple competitions running simultaneously, teams can suffer from fatigue, especially if they are playing back-to-back matches or traveling extensively.

📝 Pro Tip: Track the schedule of teams you’re interested in. A team that’s deep in a European club competition and also involved in domestic league play might not field its strongest lineup in an international tournament. Conversely, teams with longer rest periods or fewer matches can often outperform expectations.

4. Dive Into Team Stats and Analytics for Deeper Insights

In handball, like in any sport, statistics play a crucial role in determining the outcome of matches. However, for handball, specific stats like shot efficiency, fast break efficiency, and goalkeeper save percentage can offer invaluable insight.

Teams with high shooting efficiency or strong defensive records are often more reliable than those with unpredictable performances. Additionally, consider looking at turnover rates, as teams that give the ball away easily often lose momentum, especially against strong defensive sides.

5. Watch for Big Upsets in Group Stages

Handball tournaments like the IHF World Championship and the EHF Champions League often have surprise upsets, especially during the group stages when underdog teams are hungry to make a name for themselves.

📝 Pro Tip: In the early stages of big tournaments, look for potential upsets where lower-ranked teams might outperform expectations. These games can offer significant value in match odds.

Live Handball Betting 

Handball is a fast-paced sport, with rapid changes in momentum, especially in leagues like the EHF Champions League. This makes live betting especially rewarding.

To make the most out of live handball betting, be sure to use sportsbooks with reliable in-play markets and live streaming, like bet365, for instance. Real-time updates and access to live coverage will enhance your ability to spot trends as they happen, which is crucial, particularly in high-stakes tournaments.

Here are some more tips you can adopt to help maximize your live handball betting experience:

• Watch for Shifts in Momentum: Handball teams often experience quick runs of goals, and you can bet on them to cover a handicap or spread when they’re bouncing back from a slow start. Keep an eye on how a team responds after a timeout or a change in tactics, as these are moments when teams often surge.
• Focus on Key Player Performances: The fast-paced nature of handball means that individual players can have a huge impact, especially during high-scoring situations or penalty shot streaks. If you notice a key player starting to heat up consider betting on their player props like total goals or assists.

Ready to Throw Yourself Into Handball Betting?

Handball might still be carving its niche in the US, but that’s exactly what makes betting on it so exciting! With its fast-paced action, high-scoring games, and international appeal, handball offers unique opportunities for sharp bettors who can spot trends and undervalued odds.

As the sport continues to grow stateside, betting on handball allows you to get ahead of the curve and explore markets that are less saturated than more mainstream sports. Plus, with top US sportsbooks increasingly offering odds on international tournaments, there’s never been a better time to dive in.

Whether you’re wagering on a European league or cheering for Team USA in international competitions, the thrill of the game is always within reach. Good luck, and may your bets hit the mark! 🤾🇺🇸

Frequently Asked Questions