Copenhagen is the priority and Herning the second priority as home arenas when Denmark will host handball final tournaments in 2031 and 2032.
This had been decided by the board of the Danish Handball Federation. The announcement comes in the wake of a request from the Copenhagen Municipality to host the Danish national handball teams for the two final round tournaments.
In the past several years, the Boxen Arena in Herning has formed the framework for the final rounds and has been the home arena for the Danish national team since the arena was put into use for the first time in 2010.
Only in a few final round matches has Denmark played in the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, just as other international matches have also been played in the capital.
At the World Championships in men's handball 2031 and European Championships in women's handball 2032, work will continue with both Herning and Copenhagen as the two possible host cities.
But Copenhagen seems to be ahead in the race between the two cities.
"Both cities are strong candidates, and both will be able to deliver championships at a high international level. Based on this, the board has designated Copenhagen as the priority and Herning as the second priority in the further process", says the Danish Handball Federation.
Herning Municipality's mayor, Dorte West, says to TV 2 Sport that it is "shameful" that the federation has designated Copenhagen as the priority.
"Strong forces are pulling towards Copenhagen, and I think you need to question whether all experiences should be located in the capital. It can be difficult for others if you are up against the capital and the economic muscle they also have over there", says the mayor.