Wednesday 19 / August / 2026
Muscat: Sixteen years after hosting the world championships, Oman won the rights once again to host the 2028 IHF Men's and Women's Beach Handball World Championships in Salalah. The championships will be staged from July 3 to 8, 2028.
The International Handball Federation (IHF) announced the award of the hosting rights for the 2028 IHF Men's and Women's Beach Handball World Championships to the Oman Handball Association (OHA), following a decision taken by the IHF Council on August 13.
The 2028 edition will mark a return of the flagship beach handball competition to Oman, which previously hosted the World Championships at Mussanah Sports City in 2012.
It will also be the third time the event is held in Asia, following the 2024 edition in China, further reflecting the continued growth and global expansion of beach handball.
Salalah will provide a compact host-city concept, with the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex serving as the competition venue. The proposed infrastructure includes four competition courts and two warm-up courts, while the central arena will accommodate 2,000 spectators.
High-quality white sand for the playing courts will be sourced from the coastal area of Shuwaimiyah, ensuring optimal playing conditions throughout the championships.
Salalah's distinctive setting was one of the key strengths highlighted during the evaluation process. The city enjoys a unique climate during July, offering favourable conditions for beach handball competition.
Combined with modern infrastructure, quality accommodation and efficient transport links, the bid presented a strong foundation for delivering another successful edition of the World Championships.
The Oman Handball Association also committed to organising the Finals of the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour in both 2026 and 2027, providing valuable experience ahead of hosting the sport's premier event two years later.
