Womens EHF EURO 2016 launches with all services delivered by Infront - including host broadcast operations for the first time

The continuing success of the flagship handball event involves a full contingent of leading international sponsors and broadcast agreements into over 135 territories

Zug, Switzerland – Ready for the launch of the Women’s EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden from 4 to 18 December, Infront Sports & Media, the exclusive media and marketing partner of the European Handball Federation (EHF) for the EHF EUROs, has announced a full line-up of international sponsor brands, a successful TV distribution into over 135 countries and territories and for the first time ever, Infront is also handling the host broadcast and production operation.

Host broadcast operation by Infront

Broadcast agreements have been secured with over 65 broadcasters, with the host broadcast operation in Sweden being handled directly by Infront for the first time. Full HDTV coverage is guaranteed with a state-of-the-art camera concept and production plan implemented by Infront that uses up to 18 cameras per game. Following more than a year of preparatory meetings and workshops with a dedicated production team including directors and slow-motion-operators, Infront will provide the very best production operation to offer every detail of game play and guarantee all the action is transmitted to the viewers at home.

The coverage in key markets includes: Norway and Sweden with the free-TV channels of Viasat, Germany with SPORT1, Denmark with TV2 - Denmark and France, the MENA region, Australia, Canada, USA, und US territories with beIN SPORTS. In addition, TVR will broadcast in the strong handball market Romania, AMC in Hungary and Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands. The EHF’s own online TV platform ehfTV.com will also show every match live and on-demand with full English commentary.

In total, almost 600 media representatives working in television, radio, print and online media will be reporting onsite across the championship.

Leading international brands line-up

Handball is especially popular in Sweden which is one principle market for women’s handball. The Official Sponsor line-up for 2016 sees both long-standing and new brands committed to the event. Seven Official Sponsors complete the commercial partner portfolio and will benefit from TV visibility with additional selected partners also featured on special LED advertising around the arena.

The Official Sponsor line-up includes: AJ (mail order office furniture, materials handling and storage solutions), BAUHAUS (workshop, house and garden specialist), engelbert strauss (functional work-wear manufacturer), Grundfos (leading pump manufacturer), Intersport (sporting goods retailer), Möbelringen (furniture shop) and Gjensidige (insurance group).

On site ‘Friends Zone’ optimises engagement

As part of the entertainment programme, a dedicated fan area – the Friends Zone – will offer extended activation opportunities to the sponsors to engage with fans around the events. It is located in the same building as the Scandinavium, the Gothenburg venue where the main round and finals will be played. All fans will enter the matches through the ‘Friends Zone’ with sponsor activation, promotional activities and exhibits planned to optimise on engagement opportunities across the board.

Extensive digital coverage with Official App presented by Grundfos

Boosted by a 300 per cent increase in digital reach at the Men’s EHF EURO in Poland in January, coverage of the women’s event is set to reach millions around the globe across a broad range of digital channels. The official website – ehf-euro.com – is available in both English and Swedish and fans will also be able to follow the event on channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. The event’s Official App, presented by Official Sponsor Grundfos, will be launched shortly before the start of the tournament and will be available for iOS and Android.

Speaking about the first major handball highlight since his election in November, the EHF President, Michael Wiederer, said: “We are very much looking forward to the EHF EURO returning once again to Sweden, a country with a long and successful handball tradition not just with their national teams but also at a club level. Handball, and in particular the women’s game, enjoys huge popularity across Scandinavia and with both Norway and Denmark also among the 16 nations competing we are expecting a terrific atmosphere for this flagship event.”

Stephan Herth, Executive Director Summer Sports at Infront: “For the launch of the upcoming Women’s EHF EURO 2016 we are in a strong position to ensure one of the best events yet. With the media production now being handled by Infront, we are able to guarantee the very best in broadcast standards for the viewers at home. The sponsor community will benefit from strong exposure due to agreements in more than 135 territories as well as the ‘Friends Zone’, which offers greater opportunities than ever to maximise on touch points and fan engagement. It’s an exciting time for the women’s event across the board.”

Starting signal on 4 December

The Women’s EHF EURO 2016 will be played in Stockholm, Kristianstad, Malmö, Helsingborg and Gothenburg from 4 December onwards with 16 teams competing across a total of 47 games. The semi-finals and finals will take place in the legendary Gothenburg arena - Scandinavium - with a capacity of 12,044 spectators on 16 and 18 December respectively.

About Infront Sports & Media

Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is one of the most respected sports marketing companies in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production, event operation and digital solutions – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Holding, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.