The Beninese Handball Federation (FBHB) has announced the schedule for its statutory competitions in 2026. The upcoming events cover various categories, including cadets, juniors, amateurs, and the professional league. According to the federation, the competitions will take place throughout the year, with the first events starting in September. This announcement was made on September 21, 2026, by Matin Libre. The schedule is crucial for planning and preparation by teams, players, and other stakeholders in Benin's handball.
For cadets and juniors, the competitions will begin with the departmental phase, scheduled from September 26 to October 4, 2026. This phase will be followed by the zone phase, set to take place from October 10 to 18, 2026. These initial phases are essential for identifying top teams that will proceed to the next stages. The competition format is designed to ensure broad participation and to scout for talent from different regions of Benin.
In the amateur category, the zone phase is programmed from October 14 to 25, 2026. Qualified teams from this phase will then advance to the national phase, scheduled from October 31 to November 4, 2026. These events are pivotal for the development of handball in Benin, as they provide a platform for amateur players to showcase their skills and potentially move to professional leagues.
The younger categories will also have their national phases before the end of the year. Specifically, the national phase for cadets is set from December 19 to 23, 2026, while for juniors, it will be from December 26 to 30, 2026. These events are crucial for identifying and nurturing young talent in Benin's handball.
The professional league is also part of the 2026 schedule, set to run from November 7, 2026, to February 6, 2027. The exact format of the league will be determined later. This period will be particularly busy for clubs, players, and handball stakeholders in Benin, with competitions lined up from late September 2026 to early February 2027.
Key dates for the competitions have been highlighted by the FBHB. These include the departmental phase for cadets and juniors (September 26 – October 4, 2026), the zone phase for the same categories (October 10 – 18, 2026), and the zone phase for amateurs (October 14 – 25, 2026). The national phase for amateurs and the professional league are also critical parts of the schedule.
The FBHB's announcement of the 2026 competition schedule marks an important milestone in the planning and organization of handball activities in Benin. With a packed calendar, the federation aims to promote the sport, identify new talents, and enhance the competitiveness of Beninese teams at various levels. The success of these events will depend on effective organization and participation by all stakeholders.
Key points
- The Beninese Handball Federation has released the 2026 competition calendar, covering cadets, juniors, amateurs, and the professional league.
- Key competitions will take place from September 2026 to February 2027, including departmental, zone, and national phases for different categories.
- The professional league is scheduled from November 7, 2026, to February 6, 2027, marking a significant part of the handball season in Benin.
