Will Handball Become a Popular Sport in the United States?

By Dan Holmes Contributor Updated: 17 January 2025

Dan Holmes Contributor

Dan Holmes, a content creator and sports betting enthusiast, brings over a decade of experience to Betting.US. His extensive writing background spans from the internet to prestigious roles at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Dan’s articles, featured on numerous websites, cover various sports, from bowling to disc golf.

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USA Team Handball

Handball is a game of speed, strategy, and skill, combining the frenetic energy of basketball with the physicality of rugby. It has captivated millions worldwide, particularly in Europe, where it commands a devoted following. However, when it comes to handball in America, the sport is still an underdog struggling for a slice of the spotlight.

Can handball break through the noise of the NFL, NBA, and MLB to become the next big thing stateside? While this might be difficult, it’s by no means impossible. Stay tuned and let’s unpack the potential of USA team handball and explore whether it’s destined for glory or eternal obscurity.

Is Handball a Sport Worth Handing Over the Remote For?

If you’ve never watched handball, here’s the pitch: imagine seven athletes per team sprinting, leaping, and hurling a ball at blistering speeds toward a soccer-style goal. It’s chaotic, intense, and oddly addictive—a sports version of a high-energy group project, minus the awkward PowerPoint slides. Yet, despite its undeniable appeal, handball in America remains largely in the shadows.

The lack of visibility isn’t for lack of effort. The U.S. Handball Association (USHA) has worked diligently to foster interest in the sport, though they often contend with the reality that Americans tend to reserve the word “handball” for the wall-based, singles version played in rec centers. For clarity: no, this is not that.

Why Isn’t USA Handball Mainstream?

In many ways, handball seems tailor-made for American audiences. This is a fast-paced, team-oriented, and high-scoring game – everything we claim to love in sports. Yet, it hasn’t stuck. Why? Some reasons are obvious and we’ve included some of them in the following list:

Cultural Dominance of Established Sports: Football, basketball, and baseball already devour our attention span and screen time. Adding another contender to the mix is no small feat.
Low Exposure: Unlike soccer or rugby, handball rarely makes an appearance on TV. The average American sports fan has probably seen more curling than handball.
Minimal Infrastructure: There are few handball leagues, teams, or courts in the U.S., limiting accessibility for potential players.

And then there’s the name problem. “USA handball” sounds like a governmental department rather than a sport. The disconnect between “team handball” and “wall handball” has undoubtedly confused would-be fans. Can’t blame Gen Z for shrugging it off when it doesn’t even trend on TikTok.

The Case for Handball’s Growth in America

Let’s not count out handball American just yet. If disc golf can have a glow-up, so can handball. Several factors suggest it might find its footing in the U.S.:

1. Olympic Clout

Handball has been a staple of the Summer Olympics since 1972, and the Games often serve as a gateway for Americans to discover niche sports. With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics, USA team handball has a prime opportunity to capture attention on home turf.

2. Cross-Sport Appeal

Handball’s dynamic nature mirrors elements of basketball, soccer, and even hockey. Athletes from these sports could find a natural transition to handball, bringing their fan bases along for the ride. Imagine LeBron James as a handball goalkeeper. Now that’s content.

3. Social Media and Streaming

Platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram are goldmines for growing niche sports. Handball highlights—full of jaw-dropping goals and gravity-defying saves—are tailor-made for the “snackable content” generation.

How to Level Up Handball

If USA handball wants to level up, it needs a game plan. The sport has enormous untapped potential, but success won’t happen by accident. It requires deliberate strategies to overcome its identity crisis and capture the attention of new fans. Here are a few suggestions:

Rebrand the Sport: Drop the confusing “handball” terminology and adopt a name that avoids clashing with the wall-ball version. “Courtball,” anyone?
Invest in Grassroots Development: Schools and youth leagues are critical. Kids need to grow up playing the sport, not just discover it in their 20s.
Star Power: All it takes is one athlete or celebrity to shine a light on handball. (Paging Travis Kelce—America needs you!)
Media Partnerships: Whether it’s ESPN+ or a streaming-exclusive deal, the sport needs consistent visibility.

Handball’s best shot at growth may also lie in engaging gamblers. Sports betting has surged in popularity, and handball’s high-scoring nature makes it a natural fit. Once fans start wagering on matches via the best handball betting site, they’ll inevitably get more invested in the action.

Convincing Americans to embrace a new sport requires more than just marketing dollars; it demands cultural alignment. Gen Z’s obsession with fast-paced, easily digestible content aligns well with the quick turnover of handball matches. Matches last 60 minutes, and there’s rarely a dull moment.

No long commercial breaks. No tedious replays. Just pure, unfiltered action. Additionally, younger audiences have shown an openness to exploring niche sports. Ultimate frisbee, pickleball, and esports all owe their rising popularity to younger generations who are less married to traditional sports hierarchies.

A Guide to Loving Handball

Handball American is far from achieving mainstream status, but it’s not without hope. With the right combination of grassroots efforts, media exposure, and cultural rebranding, it has a legitimate chance to carve out a niche in the crowded U.S. sports market. Still not sold on handball? Here’s how to ease into the fandom:

Watch a Highlight Reel: YouTube has endless compilations of incredible handball goals. You’ll be hooked before you finish your next iced coffee.
Follow a Team: Adopt a European powerhouse like Denmark or France. Their players are the Michael Jordans and Lionel Messis of handball.
Try Playing: All you need is a ball, a gym, and a willingness to sprint like you just saw your ex at the mall.
Bet on It: Once you place a wager on the best handball betting site, every pass and goal will suddenly feel like life or death.

The Olympics could be a game-changer, and the sport’s innate watchability gives it plenty of potential. Whether it becomes the next great American pastime or just a fun side dish to our sports buffet, one thing’s for sure: handball is worth a second look. Who knows—maybe in 2030, you’ll be yelling at the screen during the USA team handball championship, wondering how you ever lived without it.