Published on October 20th, 2026
Location: Germany
FALKEN Renews Partnership with IHF Men’s Handball World Championship Through 2029
Offenbach am Main / Hamburg, 20 October 2026 - Tyre brand FALKEN, part of Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, is continuing its commitment to international top-level handball by extending its partnership with the International Handball Federation (IHF). The new agreement sees FALKEN partner with both the 2027 and 2029 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship. The agreement builds on a successful long-term cooperation between FALKEN and the IHF which started with the 2019 World Championship. It has since continued through tournaments in 2023 and 2025, underlining FALKEN’s long-term commitment to one of the world’s most dynamic team sports. The partnership was brokered by SPORTFIVE, the exclusive commercial agency for worldwide media and marketing rights for all IHF World Championships through 2031.
FALKEN was the official event partner for the 29th IHF Men’s Handball World Championship in 2025. Through high-visibility branding on LED advertising boards and goal-area signage, the tyre brand reached millions of handball fans worldwide and further strengthened its positioning as a provider of sporty tyres in the upper mid-range segment.
The partnership is built on shared values of precision, performance, reliability and the constant pursuit of excellence; qualities that are essential for success both on the handball court and on the road.
Dr Hassan Moustafa, President of the International Handball Federation (IHF), commented: “I am pleased to confirm the continuation of our partnership with FALKEN for the IHF Men’s World Championships in 2027 and 2029. FALKEN has been part of our tournament for several years, and the extension of this partnership underlines our shared commitment to performance and excellence, values that define both our sport and the FALKEN brand. I would like to thank FALKEN for its continued trust in the IHF and in the Men’s World Championship and look forward to welcoming the brand back to our courts in Germany and again in France and Germany for the upcoming tournaments.”
For FALKEN, the extension represents a clear commitment to international handball as a communications platform.
Markus Bögner, Managing Director and President of Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, commented: “Our shared values, the successful partnerships of previous years and the FALKEN brand’s deep roots in sport provide a strong foundation to continue our commitment. We are delighted to partner with the IHF Men’s Handball World Championships in 2027 and 2029 and look forward to the excitement and entertainment it brings fans. The extension of our partnership with the IHF enables us to further expand our presence on a global stage and connect with millions of enthusiasts all around the world.”
The 30th IHF Men’s Handball World Championship 2027 will take place in Germany from 13 to 31 January 2027. Host cities are Munich, Stuttgart, Magdeburg, Kiel, Hanover and Cologne. The tournament will be held under the motto, ‘Where Handball is Alive.’
With the newly agreed extension through 2029, FALKEN underlines its commitment to establishing long-term and authentic partnerships in international sport while bringing its brand values to life for a global audience.
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Handball, Motorsport, Esports, Cricket, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events, Wintersports and many more.
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About Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH
Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, operating as Falken Tyre Europe GmbH until February 2026, is the European subsidiary of the Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., the world’s sixth-largest tyre manufacturer with more than 37,000 employees. Production takes place at 12 sites, with over 116 million tyres sold annually. Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH distributes tyres from the DUNLOP, FALKEN and SUMITOMO brands across Europe. The product portfolio is developed at a high-performance research and development centre in Germany and modern production facilities. The FALKEN brand was founded in Japan in 1983, with the first German branch following in 1988. In 2025, Sumitomo Rubber Industries acquired the brand rights for DUNLOP tyres for four-wheeled vehicles in Europe, North America and Oceania. From its base in Offenbach am Main, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH distributes a complete range of tyres for cars, SUVs, commercial and light commercial vehicles – for both the original equipment market and the European aftermarket. Around 300 employees from 24 countries work for the company, whilst a Europe-wide network of approximately 8,000 tyre partners handles the sale and fitting of the products.
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About IHF
Founded in 1946, the International Handball Federation (IHF) is the global governing body for handball and its disciplines. It represents 209 member federations and organises all World Championships in indoor, beach and wheelchair handball.
With the objective of continuously developing and promoting Olympic handball and its disciplines worldwide, the IHF has launched several global initiatives focused on collaboration and education to raise the level of the sport across all regions. By promoting the Olympic values, the IHF strives to unite the global handball community around a shared goal: contributing to a more peaceful and better world through sport.
Press contacts
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Mara Kottke
Senior Manager Marketing Communications
mara.kottke@sportfive.com
