Los Angeles Handball Club (LAHC) are US national champions after winning the 2026 USA Team Handball Men's National Cup following the conclusion of the three-weekend tournament in Los Angeles, United States of America.

The first two weekends of the new, league format saw action take place in Chicago followed by Denver, before the competition concluded earlier this month at 'Velo Sports Center' in Carson - a venue which will host track cycling at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Results from the three events were combined, with LAHC the overall winner after remaining unbeaten in Carson, after defeating Chicago Inter twice: 37:28 (14:14), 42:27 (22:15) and come from behind against NYAC to seal a draw, 33:33 (18:21).

LAHC were coached by former Danish international Morten Olsen, who won gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, 2019 and 2021 IHF Men's World Championships and 2005 IHF Men's Junior World Championship.

His side featured a number of current and former US internationals including Drew Donlin, Gabe Goodreau, Lewis Howes and Ty Reed, as well as legendary global stars including 2017 IHF Men's World Championship bronze medallist Vid Kavticnik, 2007 IHF Men's World Championship winner with Germany, Michael Kraus, former French international Mickaël Robin, Olympic, world and European champion with France, William Accambray, London 2012 Olympic Games silver medallist with Sweden, Dalibor Doder, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bronze medallist and 2013 IHF Men's World Championship winner Viran Morros.

"We played hard all season long and each weekend tournament had its own challenges so to come out on top as USA champions is a great feeling," said Howes to ihf.info.

"The final game against NYAC was tough because we were behind the entire time until the last few seconds before we tied it up at the end, which made us the champions. They played with a lot of grit the entire game and are tough players. We give a lot of credit to them and it was the toughest game all season.

"To win in the end is a great feeling. But to do it with a group of guys who have positive attitudes and big hearts is even more special."

LAHC's title win now means they will go on to represent the country at the forthcoming North American and the Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) Club Championship - a qualification event for the 2026 IHF Men's Club World Championship.

Previous United States of America men's club champions have included the San Francisco CalHeat (2019-2023), California Eagles (2024) and New York City Handball Club (2025).

In addition to the national cup games in Carson, which club sides West Point and Denver were unable to participate in, a number of friendly and exhibition matches took place. Overall, teams represented in both competitive and friendly games included men's teams NYAC, SF Cal Heat, Chicago Inter, LAHC, San Diego Handball Club and LA2, plus women's teams Los Angeles/San Diego and LA.

All three days of action from Carson can be watched again on the Los Angeles Handball Club YouTube channel.