A legendary venue, top European teams and a surprise no-one expected – in January 2026, the French Handball Tournament is set to transform Paris La Défense Arena into a sporting and festive stage. A first-of-its-kind event that promises two days of intense entertainment, on and off the floor.
An unprecedented event for French handball
To kick off 2026, the French Men’s Handball Tournament will be held for the first time at the Paris La Défense Arena, one of Europe’s largest indoor venues. A symbolic choice for this event organized by the French Handball Federation, designed as a dress rehearsal before Euro 2026.
Four European nationswill take to the field – France, Austria, Iceland and Slovenia. A tough line-up, designed to offer Les Bleus a solid opposition and the Parisian public an intense sporting spectacle, in an extraordinary setting!
Bigflo & Oli showcase – when sport meets show
But there’s more to the Tournoi de France than just the matches. To mark the occasion and turn the evening into a real event, Bigflo & Oli will be performing an exceptional showcase at the Paris La Défense Arena. A performance that completes the sporting experience.
It’s a surprise that promises to take the atmosphere up a notch and appeal far beyond handball fans. It’s a way of breaking the mould and offering a hybrid format, between international competition and major show, in keeping with the spirit of the large-scale events hosted by the arena.
Practical info
📍Venue – Paris La Défense Arena, Nanterre
📅Dates – Friday January 9 and Sunday January 11, 2026
Friday, January 9th 2026
- Iceland – Slovenia at 6:30pm
- France – Austria at 9:00 pm
Sunday, January 11, 2026
- Match for 3ᵉ place at 2:30pm
- Final at 5:00 pm, with the participation of the French team