French Handball Cup Final Four at Accor Arena Bercy in 2028, Digi Mart USA News: The French Handball Federation has announced a new format for its men’s and women’s Cup competitions. Starting in the 2027-2028 season, both professional competitions will be contested as a Final Four held over three days at the Accor Arena in Paris Bercy.
Under the new format, the last four teams in each competition will meet at the Accor Arena from March 31 to April 2 for two Final Four events. The semi-finals will begin on Friday evening, and the finals will be played over the weekend alongside amateur club matches.
The federation says the change is intended to ease pressure on the calendar and give its flagship event more visibility, as the Cup previously took place in May. The shift follows the introduction of play-offs in the Starligue and LBE.
The new format also raises practical questions for fans. Supporters who want to follow their team across two or three days in Paris would need to budget for more expensive accommodation, particularly those travelling from outside the capital, and would have to buy two tickets instead of one.
Observers also question whether the Accor Arena will draw larger crowds for a three-day event, noting that it was already far from full when the finals ran over two days. French handball authorities have introduced several new formats and initiatives in recent years in an effort to revive media interest in a sport that struggles to hold a central place in the spotlight.
Whether the new format will turn Bercy into an essential destination for French handball remains to be seen. The answer will come in a little less than two years.
