Swedish Cup (Sweden) 2026/27

The Swedish Handball Cup serves as the premier national knockout competition for handball in Sweden, operating under the Swedish Handball Federation. Unlike the regular league, this tournament features an open format that permits lower-division clubs to compete against top-tier sides. A distinctive characteristic is the handicap rule, which grants free throw attempts to teams from lower divisions to level the playing field before kickoff. This mechanism aims to ensure competitive balance across different league tiers.

The men's competition began in the 1967/1968 season but faced interruptions due to league reforms. It ceased operations in 1971 and was revived in 1979 as the "Jubileumscupen" for the federation's 50th anniversary. After another hiatus in 1991, the event restarted in 2021. The women's tournament followed a similar trajectory, launching in 1979/1980 and returning in 2021. HK Drott stands out as the most successful men's club with six titles, while Stockholmspolisens IF and Tyresö HF lead the women's competition with three titles each.

The current structure involves 32 teams divided into eight groups of four for a round-robin phase. The top two from each group advance to the knockout stage, where Round of 16 and Quarterfinals are played as two-legged ties. Since the 2023/2024 season, the semifinals, bronze match, and final have been hosted as a single "Final Four" event at a neutral venue. Victory in the cup qualifies the winning club for European competitions, specifically the EHF European Cup or the EHF European League. This prize distinguishes the cup from the Handbollsligan, offering European exposure beyond domestic league performance. The competition remains a unique showcase for Swedish handball, blending traditional knockout drama with modern structural adjustments to support cross-tier participation.