Handball is one of the most popular sports in France, consistently ranking among the top practiced sports in the nation. Its significant following is evidenced by a large number of club members and its strong position relative to other major sports.
Handball's Prominent Standing Among French Sports
In France, handball enjoys a high level of popularity, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. The sport benefits from strong national teams, which contribute to its visibility and appeal across the country.
Membership Numbers and National Ranking
As of 2019, approximately 492,000 people were registered members of a handball club in France. This substantial membership base established handball as the sixth most practiced sport in the country based on licensed participants.
It ranks behind several other prominent sports:
- Football
- Tennis
- Horse-riding
- Judo
- Basketball
Notably, handball's popularity, measured by club memberships, surpassed that of rugby, which had around 326,000 licensed players in the same period.
Comparative Popularity Overview
The following table illustrates the standing of handball relative to other sports in France, based on 2019 membership figures from sports clubs:
| Rank | Sport | Approximate Club Members (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Football | Higher than Handball |
| 1-5 | Tennis | Higher than Handball |
| 1-5 | Horse-riding | Higher than Handball |
| 1-5 | Judo | Higher than Handball |
| 1-5 | Basketball | Higher than Handball |
| 6 | Handball | 492,000 |
| 7 | Rugby | 326,000 |
This data underscores handball's solid foundation and widespread appeal within the French sporting landscape, positioning it as a core sport with a dedicated following.
