The history of the Handball Bundesliga: Records and returnees in focus!

The history of the Handball Bundesliga: Records and returnees in focus!

Lübeck, Deutschland - With July 6, 2025, we can look back on a long tradition in German handball. In 1966, the Handball Bundesliga (HBL) was launched as the highest division in German men's handball. A lot has happened since then, and the league that is held in the league system now has 18 clubs in the first division. The current championships have been broadcast by the broadcaster Dyn since the 2023/2024 season, who not only shows the games live on television, but also brings the great enthusiasm for handball to the living room. As Handball-Welt, the THW Kiel is at the top of the podium, it is remarkable that this team has been playing in the league continuously since 1967.

we take a look at the founding members under which VfL Gummersbach and the Foxes Berlin stand out. VfL Gummersbach relegated in 2019, but returned with fresh enthusiasm in 2022. The Foxes Berlin, on the other hand, had a long dry spell between 1986 and 2007 while they were not represented in the league. In addition to these two, GWD Minden and SC Magdeburg should not be missing in the list of traditional clubs. GWD Minden returned to the Bundesliga in 2023 after a two -year break, while SC Magdeburg has been an integral part of the league since the turn in 1991.

the masters and their history

The THW Kiel has not only been an indispensable part of the league since 1967, but also the record champions with impressive 23 titles. VfL Gummersbach follows with 12 championships, which makes the two clubs the most successful clubs in history. As a compilation on Daikin HBL, the THW Kiel has won 19 of 22 championships in the one-track Bundesliga, which has been introduced since 1977. And with just two relegations in the current season, which benefits from 16 players on the field, the best teams continue to come into play.

The league has changed evolutionarily over the years. For example, from 1967 to 1973 there was a field handball Bundesliga that took place in the summer months. In the following decades, the evolution also started with regard to the mode and the participants. 95 different clubs have been able to measure their skills in Germany's highest handball league over the years, as is documented on Wikipedia.

Current developments and challenges

In the current season, the situation for the promoters, who often are considered relegation candidates, was anything but easy. The SG BBM Bietigheim and the 1st VfL Potsdam have to go back to the second division after just one year. In contrast, other promoters have managed to assert themselves in the Bundesliga in recent years, including HSV Hamburg and VfL Gummersbach.

The history of Bergisches HC, which has become a second division champion, has a direct ranging among the clubs. TSV Hannover-Burgdorf has been continuing continuity since 2009 and is another integral part of the league. The tradition and movement of the clubs from the new federal states since the reunification in 1991 have also enriched the league and provided excitement.

The handball Bundesliga is more than just a league. It is a mirror of sport and passion that connects many people so deeply. From the green fields of field handball to the modern halls of the present, German handball has put a long way, and the best times don't seem to be over.