Now kicking off: Partille World Cup 2025

The group stage in the Partille World Cup 2025 is officially underway. A tournament week filled with matches, encounters, and friendships across borders.
– We truly live up to the name Partille World Cup, says Fredrik Andersson, Secretary General of Partille World Cup.

The first matches of this year’s Partille World Cup were played on Tuesday morning. From now until Saturday, 23,000 participants will play more than 4,000 matches. This year, 1,272 teams from 35 countries are taking part in the tournament.
– They come from every continent, so we really do justice to the name Partille World Cup. It's about competition, joy, and the chance to meet teams from other countries—for everyone involved. Both on the court and in everything happening around it. Taking part is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, says Fredrik Andersson, Secretary General of Partille World Cup.

He describes the tournament as an antidote to echo chambers.
– Handball becomes a tool through which young people can connect with the world. This applies to players, but also to coaches, accompanying parents, siblings, referees, our volunteers—everyone who contributes to what makes this tournament so unique and important.

Elite Groups, C Playoffs, and Referee School
This year the tournament has introduced elite groups in the 16–18 age categories. In the younger age groups, C Playoffs have been introduced to give more teams a chance to advance from the group stage.
– This makes for a more balanced tournament, with more evenly matched games. It benefits everyone and gives more teams the opportunity to feel like they’ve progressed far, says Fredrik Andersson.

Another new addition is a referee school for young referees, where around 50 participants are followed by experienced instructors who coach, support, and guide them throughout the tournament.

On the Path Toward Sustainability Certification
Partille World Cup is also taking further steps toward certification as a sustainable event. Last year, the tournament introduced the Celebrate concept, focusing on sustainability challenges the tournament can positively influence. This year, a so-called pre-certification is being conducted—an important step toward full certification in 2026.