German car manufacturer Opel has become the latest official sponsor of the 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championships.
As the official mobility partner of the event, Opel will maintain a physical presence at all six host venues, with the Astra, Astra Sports Tourer, Grandland, Mokka GSE, and Corsa GSE product lines receiving particular promotion.
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Opel will provide shuttle services for tournament personnel to aid the delivery of the championships.
Commercial activations around the tournament will include ticket giveaways and competitions, experiences such as tours, and more.
This agreement was brokered by commercial agency Sportfive, which is the exclusive media and marketing rights partner of the IHF in an agreement that will run through 2031.
Speaking on the deal, Sportfive chief growth officer Robert Müller von Vultejus said: “With Opel, we are welcoming a strong event partner that supports the IHF Handball World Championships not only in terms of brand presence, but also operationally.
“As the official automotive partner, Opel will make a significant contribution to the smooth delivery of the tournament by providing shuttle services in Germany. This partnership is a strong example of integrated engagements that effectively combine brand visibility, functionality, and event excellence.”
The 2027 men's Handball World Championship will be held in Germany across six host cities from January 13 to 31.
Other significant IHF sponsors include sportswear brand Hummel, flooring and wall producer Gerflor, ball supplier Molten, and fastener manufacturer Wurth, which in May renewed its agreement through the 2029 World Championships.
This deal completes a recent hat-trick of German handball partnerships for Opel, which in May became the naming rights partner of German club handball's top-tier Bundesliga, as well as a strategic partner of both the men's and women's German national teams, through a tie-up with the German Handball Federation (DHB). Both agreements run for three years.
Opel markings and branding will be visible on the players' jerseys of both national teams through this agreement, as well as on the jerseys of every Handball Bundesliga player. There will also be a targeted focus in terms of Opel's activations, around engaging younger audiences.
Activations include "special media days, behind-the-scenes access, ticket giveaways, [and] additional prize draws."
