GAA Handball are delighted to confirm that the 2024 World 4-Wall Handball Championships will take place from October 26-November 3, 2024 at venues in Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny and Laois.
The World Handball Championships are a triennial event traditionally hosted in rotation by Ireland, the United States and Canada, with Australia also hosting the 1988 event. Ireland were due to host the 2021 World Championships but this was postponed due to pandemic-related restrictions, with only the Open Singles and Doubles grades going ahead in conjunction with the American national championships earlier this year.
It has been decided to separate the World Championships into two separate events for the first time; the Wallball Championships will take place in August at the University of Limerick, followed by the 4-Wall Championships.
GAA Handball will mark its centenary in 2024 and it is hoped that the Wallball and 4-Wall Worlds will be the centrepiece of the celebrations.
Preparations are already underway for the 4-Wall World Championships. Last year, an Invitational World Championships took place at the University of Minnesota, with the Open Singles and Doubles grades won by Irish stars Martin Mulkerrins and Catriona Casey.
Head of GAA Handball, David Britton, said: “GAA Handball are delighted to announce the dates of October 26 to November 3, 2024, for next year’s World/National 4-Wall Championship. The championship will take place in several venues across Leinster namely Dublin, Kilkenny, Laois and Carlow. GAA Handball are excited by the prospect of working closely with Kilkenny, Laois and Carlow to help to ensure that the event is a fantastic success, and another highlight in what promises to be an amazing centenary year in 2024.”
GAA Handball, which is one of the four core GAA games, is now under the remit of the GAA’s Coaching & Games department and is based at the brand-new National Handball Centre at Croke Park, which boasts seven handball courts including a 600-seater 4-wall show court.
President of GAA Handball, Conor McDonnell, said: “We are really thrilled to confirm the dates and venues for the World 4-Wall Handball Championships. There is a real buzz around our sport at the moment and with our centenary coming up in 2024, we have so much to look forward to.”
President of the World Handball Council Dessie Keegan added: “This promises to be a very exciting event for the sport in what will be a milestone year.
“It's hoped that the energy that will be created at the Wallball Worlds will carry into the Four Wall Worlds in terms of playing numbers and enjoyment for everyone."
Further details on the World 4-Wall Championships to follow.
For further information on the sport and to find your nearest club or contact a Regional Development Officer in your area, log on to gaahandball.ie or email info.handball@gaa.ie.