The month of April promises to be a busy period in the handball calendar, with a wide range of competitions spanning all formats, age categories and continents, from club handball's most prestigious stages to development competitions shaping the future of the sport worldwide.

The IHF's global development programme takes centre stage in April, with the IHF Trophy Intercontinental Phase Women taking place in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, between 7 and 11 April.

Five youth teams – Bulgaria, Canada, Guinea, Uzbekistan and Venezuela - and six junior teams - Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Guinea, New Caledonia and Uzbekistan – will compete for the title in the competition, also for the chance of participating in the IHF Women’s World Championships in their age category.

Two IHF Trophy Africa events headlining the Federation's grassroots competition calendar will also take place this month. The Men's IHF Trophy Africa Zone III will be staged from 7 to 11 April, continuing the IHF's mission to provide structured international competition for member federations across the African continent, in Lome, Togo. 

Later in the month, the Men's IHF Trophy Africa Zone IV follows from 28 April to 2 May in Douala, Cameroon, ensuring that Central and Eastern African nations have a competitive platform as part of the broader IHF Trophy pathway.

Beach handball takes a prominent position in April's calendar, with several significant competitions set to take place across the globe.

The NACHC 2026 Women's and Men's Beach Handball Championship will be held from 24 to 26 April in St. Kitts and Nevis, crowning the continental champions and providing crucial experience for teams developing their beach handball programmes in the region. The top two teams in the men’s and the women’s competitions will earn their tickets for the 2026 IHF Beach Handball World Championships.

Just days earlier, the SCA Second Chance Tournament for the Beach Handball World Championship, a repechage event offering teams a final opportunity to secure their place at the world's biggest beach handball stage, will take place between 15 and 17 April.

Additionally, the 2026 African Beach Handball Championship is due to take place between 24 and 27 April, adding further continental interest to what is shaping up to be a landmark month for the beach game. Six men’s teams – Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Togo, Kenya and Tunisia – plus four women’s sides – Benin, Mali, Togo and Kenya – will fight for the coveted trophy

On the Asian continent, the 6th Asian Beach Games, scheduled from 22 to 30 April, will feature beach handball as one of its disciplines.

April also delivers important action at club level. The Machineseeker EHF Champions League will have its play-offs scheduled for 1/2 and 8/9 April, while the first leg of the quarter-finals is scheduled for 29/30 April.

In the EHF Champions League Women, the quarter-finals will take place on 18/19 April and on 25/26 April, with Odense Håndbold facing Gyori Audi ETO KC, Gloria Bistrița taking on Brest Bretagne Handball, CSM București meeting with Team Esbjerg and FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria measuring their forces against Metz Handball.

On a global scale, the ISF World School Handball Championship will take place from 20 to 29 April, bringing together young handball players from school teams across the world in one of the sport's most unique and inclusive competitions. 

The 4th Hope and Dreams Sports Festival, scheduled from 20 to 23 April, will also offer a special platform for young athletes, combining the values of sport with messages of inclusion, hope and solidarity.