The history of the handball Bundesliga: records and returnees in focus!

The history of the handball Bundesliga: records and returnees in focus!

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

Let's take a look at the founding members, among whom VfL Gummersbach and Füchse Berlin particularly stand out. VfL Gummersbach was relegated in 2019, but returned with renewed vigor in 2022. The Füchse 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 from 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 reunification in 1991.

The masters and their history

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

The league has undergone evolutionary changes over the years. For example, from 1967 to 1973 there was a field handball Bundesliga that took place in the summer months. The evolution also took place in the following decades in terms of the mode and the participants. Over the years, 95 different clubs have been able to test their skills in Germany's highest handball league, as documented on Wikipedia.

Current developments and challenges

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

Among the clubs is the history of Bergischer HC, which was promoted straight away as second division champions. Since 2009, TSV Hannover-Burgdorf has ensured continuity and is another integral part of the league. The tradition and the arrival of clubs from the new federal states since reunification in 1991 have also enriched the league and created excitement.

The Handball Bundesliga is more than just a league. It is a reflection of the sport and the passion that connects so many people so deeply. From the green fields of field handball to the modern halls of today, German handball has come a long way, and the best times seem to be far from over.