ISF 2026 Season Set to Open with 5-Day Countdown to Skopje
Apr. 15, Skopje, North Macedonia – The countdown is officially on. In just five days, the ISF 2026 competition season will begin with the ISF World School Handball Championship – Skopje 2026, bringing the global school sport community together in North Macedonia’s capital for nine days of competition, culture, and education.
The championship will welcome more than 600 participants representing 20 delegations, including 21 boys’ teams and 16 girls’ teams, underlining the growing scale and global reach of ISF handball. The event also marks a historic milestone as the School Sport Federation of North Macedonia hosts its first-ever ISF event, with strong support from the Ministry of Sport of North Macedonia and the Handball Federation of North Macedonia.
As part of the local build-up, the Local Organising Committee and key national stakeholders met with domestic media representatives this week to highlight the significance of the championship for North Macedonia. The host was represented by the Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski, the President of the School Sport Federation of North Macedonia Elena Mickoska, the President of the Handball Federation of North Macedonia Aleksandar Stefanov, legendary Macedonian handball player and Head of Delegation of the national team Indira Kastratović, as well as Ilija Risteski, responsible for the organizational segment of the event.
Speakers underlined the event’s role in showcasing the country as a reliable host for major international sport events, while also promoting youth development and international exchange through school sport.
A major highlight awaits on 21 April, when the Opening Ceremony will take place at the iconic Macedonia Square, with all teams parading across the historic Stone Bridge before a vibrant cultural and artistic programme in the heart of the city.
Competition matches will be staged across six venues in Skopje, while the finals on 28 April will receive global visibility through Olympic Channel broadcasting, alongside extensive live coverage throughout the event on ISF platform.
Beyond the competition courts, ISF and the Local Organising Committee will once again deliver a rich event experience through the Cultural Day, Nation's Night, and dedicated educational workshops focused on Safeguarding Children in Sport and Anti-Doping Prevention in Sport. These activities reflect ISF’s commitment to using sport as a platform for learning, exchange, and values development.
As the first championship of the ISF 2026 season, Skopje is ready to set the tone for another year of world-class school sport — where competition meets culture, friendship, and education.
