Vilnius to Host 2025 Europe’s Wheelchair Handball Championship 

In a major step for inclusive sport, Vilnius will host the inaugural EHF European Wheelchair Handball Championship 2025, a first for Lithuania. Taking place 26–30 November 2025, the event marks a historic milestone for both Vilnius and inclusive sport in Europe, uniting nine national teams and introducing a dynamic new 4x4 format as the sport moves toward Paralympic inclusion.

In November 2025, the Lithuanian capital will welcome Europe’s top wheelchair handball teams for the European Wheelchair Handball Championship, marking the first time the event has been held in Vilnius. Over five days of competition and celebration, athletes, officials and fans from across the continent will gather in the city – showcasing both the rapid rise of wheelchair handball and Vilnius’s ability to host world-class international sporting events with professionalism, accessibility and heart. 

Taking place from 26–30 November 2025, the championship will introduce a new 4x4 competition format that redefines wheelchair handball and supports its pathway towards inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Paralympic Games. 

This will be the largest wheelchair handball event ever held in Europe, uniting nine national teams – France, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Norway, and host nation Lithuania, which will make its continental debut. The top 2 teams will also qualify for the 2026 Wheelchair Handball World Championship in India. 

“Hosting this championship is an important milestone for Lithuanian sport,” said Žilvinas Galimovas, General Secretary of the Lithuanian Handball Federation. “It’s the first time Lithuania will welcome such a high-level international wheelchair handball event, and we take great pride in this trust from the European Handball Federation. The championship will not only promote inclusion and equal opportunities in sport but also inspire new athletes and fans across the country.” 

“High-level international events like this showcase Vilnius at its best,” said Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, Director of Go Vilnius, the city’s official tourism and business development agency. “From modern venues and seamless logistics to a welcoming atmosphere and compact layout, the city offers everything organisers need for an exceptional event experience. We look forward to welcoming athletes, officials and fans with our signature Vilnius hospitality.” 

For Vilnius, the championship also serves as a platform for inclusive tourism and sports diplomacy, placing the city at the heart of Europe’s movement towards greater accessibility in sport. Organised in cooperation with the European Handball Federation, the event will further demonstrate Lithuania’s growing capability to host major international sporting occasions. 

The European Wheelchair Handball Championship 2025 will bring together athletes, coaches, officials and media representatives from across the continent – transforming Vilnius into Europe’s handball capital for one inspiring week. Beyond competition, it will celebrate resilience, innovation, and inclusion – the shared values that define both handball and Vilnius itself.