SPECTATOR ATTENDANCE AT THE 2025 IHF WOMEN'S WORLD HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP:

A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF GROWTH PATTERNS AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Abstract

The International Handball Federation (IHF) Women's World Handball Championship represents the
premier international competition for women's handball. Understanding attendance patterns provides
insights into the sport's commercial viability and growth trajectory. To quantify and analyze spectator
attendance at the 2025 IHF Women's World Handball Championship, we compare the figures with
historical data, and identify factors contributing to attendance patterns. This study employs descriptive statistics and comparative analysis of attendance data from the 2025 championship
(Germany/Netherlands, November 26–December 14, 2025) and previous editions (2015–2023). Data
sources include official IHF reports, venue capacity information, and tournament documentation.
Statistical measures include total attendance, per-match averages, venue utilisation rates, and yearover- year growth percentages. The 2025 championship recorded 354,029 spectators across 108
matches at five venues (average: 3,278 spectators/match), representing a 2.8% increase over the 2023 record of 344,399 spectators (average: 3,075 spectators/match). Venue capacities ranged from 5,400 to 12,000. The championship demonstrated sustained growth in women's handball attendance over the 2015-2025 period. The 2025 championship achieved record-breaking attendance, driven by strategic dual-host selection, optimised venue selection, effective marketing, and improved competitive balance.
These findings suggest continued growth potential for women's handball as a commercially viable
spectator sport.