French Cup handball Final Four format from 2028, Digi Mart USA News (France): The French Cup is set to undergo a major change. Starting in 2028, professional men’s and women’s clubs will contest the final stages of the competition in a Final Four format held at the Accor Arena in Paris.
The National Handball League (LNH) and the French Handball Federation (FFHandball) have decided to change the format of the French Cup. From 2028, the last four remaining teams in each of the men’s and women’s competitions will meet for a Final Four held over three days at the Accor Arena.
The stated goal of national handball authorities is to bring together supporters of the four qualifying clubs around a major popular event and to strengthen the competition’s media visibility.
Another important change is that the finals will now be played in April, in order to better fit the competition around the championship playoffs and European fixtures. LNH president Fabrice Boutet welcomed the change, saying the aim is to make these two events major popular, media and economic successes for all of French handball.
He also pointed to joint work with FFHandball under the LNH 2030 strategic plan.
The reform is part of a broader trend. Starting this season, the Daikin StarLigue is also testing playoff stages: the top four teams of the regular season will face each other in home-and-away semifinals, followed by a single-match final scheduled for June 2027 at the Accor Arena in Paris-Bercy.
