DAIKIN HBL Hits Record Attendance and Digital Reach in 2025/26 Season
The DAIKIN HBL recorded a record 1,708,675 spectators during the 2025/26 season, according to data from the league’s communication and media department. This total represents an increase of approximately 18,000 fans over the 2024/25 season, which had also been a record-breaking year. The figures indicate growing interest in German professional club handball across arenas, television, and digital platforms.
How did attendance perform in the 2025/26 season?
Across 306 matches in the top flight, the average attendance per game reached 5,584, with an overall arena occupancy rate of 85.8 percent, according to league records. THW Kiel maintained the highest average attendance in the league with 10,107 visitors per home game.
Other high-attendance clubs included TSV Hannover-Burgdorf with 8,915, Füchse Berlin with 8,670, Rhein-Neckar Löwen with 8,504, and SC Magdeburg with 6,600. In terms of occupancy, SC Magdeburg and VfL Gummersbach both achieved 100 percent capacity for all home games.
The top five most occupied clubs were rounded out by SG Flensburg-Handewitt at 99.5 percent, ThSV Eisenach at 98.7 percent, and THW Kiel at 98.3 percent.
What were the results for the 2. Handball-Bundesliga?
Attendance in the 2. HBL remained stable, with 523,326 fans attending 306 matches during the 2025/26 season. The average attendance per game was 1,710, which the league notes is consistent with previous year levels despite challenging economic conditions in Germany.
The overall arena occupancy for the second division was 65.4 percent. TuS Ferndorf recorded the highest occupancy at 95.9 percent, followed by HBW Balingen-Weilstetten at 90.5 percent and TV 05/07 Hüttenberg at 90.0 percent.
SG BBM Bietigheim led the league in average attendance with 2,526 viewers. Other top averages included HC Elbflorenz 2006 (2,187), HSG Nordhorn-Lingen (2,165), HBW Balingen-Weilstetten (2,128), and HSC 2000 Coburg (2,066).
How has digital reach and TV viewership changed?
Streaming partner Dyn reported a 20 percent increase in average reach per game compared to the previous season. The service broadcasts all games from the DAIKIN HBL, 2. HBL, and the DHB Cup.
Free-to-air broadcasts on ARD also drew significant audiences. The match between Füchse Berlin and THW Kiel peaked at 1.494 million viewers, while SC Magdeburg versus Füchse Berlin drew 1.209 million. The DHB Cup final between Füchse Berlin and Bergischen HC reached 1.178 million, and the “Christmas game” between ThSV Eisenach and SC Magdeburg attracted 1.077 million viewers.
On social media, the DAIKIN HBL’s first-division channels saw impressions grow by 42.4 percent, rising from 500 million in the previous season to 718 million. Fan engagement increased by 13.3 percent, totaling over 17 million interactions.
What happens next for the league?
The increase in high-reach social media posts suggests the DAIKIN HBL could see further growth in its non-traditional fan base. If the current trend of viral content continues, the league may reach an even wider audience beyond its core target group.
The stability of the 2. HBL attendance suggests that the second tier could remain a reliable draw for fans despite economic pressures. Continued growth in streaming reach through partners like Dyn may lead to further shifts in how fans consume the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total attendance for the DAIKIN HBL in the 2025/26 season?
A total of 1,708,675 fans attended 306 games, an increase of about 18,000 over the previous season.
Which club had the highest average attendance?
THW Kiel had the highest average, with 10,107 visitors per home game.
How many social media impressions did the DAIKIN HBL achieve?
The league’s digital channels reached a new high of 718 million impressions.
Which factor do you believe drives the most growth for professional handball: live arena attendance or digital streaming?