LinkedIn Partners with IHF for 2025 World Championships

LinkedIn has secured a partnership with the International Handball Federation (IHF) for the 2025 Men’s and Women’s World Championships. This collaboration, facilitated by SPORTFIVE—the exclusive marketer of global media and marketing rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031—marks LinkedIn’s inaugural venture into handball sponsorship.

The agreement encompasses the IHF Men’s World Championship in January, to be held across Norway, Denmark, and Croatia, and the IHF Women’s World Championship in December, scheduled in Germany and the Netherlands. LinkedIn’s branding will feature prominently through LED perimeter boards, court floor branding, and press conference backdrops, aiming to integrate the professional networking platform into the event experience.

Christoph Schmidt, Head of Brand Marketing at LinkedIn DACH, highlighted the alignment between handball’s team dynamics and professional networking, stating, “Handball is a team sport that brings people together, and there are many interesting parallels between the professional and sports worlds.”

IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa welcomed the partnership, noting that LinkedIn’s involvement underscores handball’s growing global appeal and its capacity to foster international relationships.

This partnership signifies LinkedIn’s strategic move to enhance brand visibility within the sports sector, particularly in regions where handball maintains a strong following. The collaboration also reflects a broader trend of digital platforms engaging with live sports events to reach diverse audiences.

However, the effectiveness of this partnership will depend on LinkedIn’s ability to leverage its presence during the championships to engage both existing and potential users meaningfully. The integration of a professional networking platform into a sports setting presents unique opportunities and challenges that will test the adaptability of LinkedIn’s marketing strategies.

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