France Targets Fourth Handball Gold at 2028 LA Games Scheduled for Long Beach Arena

TL;DR: France, holder of three Olympic handball gold medals, aims for a fourth as the 2028 Los Angeles Games schedule the sport from July 12 to July 28 at Long Beach Arena.

Handball debuted at the 1972 Olympics and blends elements of basketball, soccer and water polo. Each team fields seven players who score by throwing a small ball into the opponent’s net within two 30‑minute halves. The sport’s rules limit players to three steps without dribbling and a three‑second ball hold, which creates rapid passing and frequent turnovers.

France leads the sport with three gold medals, won in 2008, 2012 and 2020. No other nation has more than two Olympic handball golds. The United States has never medaled in the event despite participating in several editions.

France’s three golds represent the highest total in Olympic handball history. The nation’s success stems from a strong domestic league and a youth development system that feeds the national team.

The 2028 handball competition will run from July 12 through July 28, covering both men’s and women’s tournaments. Each tournament features twelve teams split into two groups of six, with round‑robin play followed by a knockout stage.

All matches will be hosted at Long Beach Arena, located in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in downtown Los Angeles. The venue has a capacity of approximately 12,000 for indoor sports and has hosted concerts, basketball games and previous Olympic trials.

Holding the competition at a single venue simplifies logistics for broadcasters, reduces travel time for athletes and can lower operational costs. It also creates a consistent atmosphere that may benefit teams accustomed to similar arena conditions.

France’s pursuit of a fourth gold adds pressure on its coaching staff and players to maintain the high performance level seen in the last three Olympics. Rivals such as Denmark, Spain and Germany have closed the gap in recent world championships, increasing the competitive field.

For the United States, hosting the event offers a home‑field advantage that could help break its medal drought. However, the team must first qualify through the 2027 Pan American Games or other continental tournaments, a step that remains uncertain.

Watch for the 2027 world championship qualifiers and the official team rosters, which will shape the medal outlook for Los Angeles 2028.