Highlights from last season’s friendly tournament.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 11: The 2025–2026 handball preseason tournament will get underway on October 20 at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex, featuring three opening-round matchups. The schedule includes Yarmouk vs. Sulaibikhat at 4:30 p.m., followed by Arabi vs. Nasr at 6:00 p.m., and concluding with Salmiya vs. Fahaheel at 7:00 p.m.

The Kuwait Handball Premier League is currently on pause after completing the first round of the second stage, allowing the national team to prepare for upcoming events — the Islamic Solidarity Games hosted by Saudi Arabia from November 3, and the Asian Championship in Kuwait next January, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.

The Kuwait Handball Federation announced the preseason competition to keep clubs active during the league break. Under the tournament format, all teams will compete in a single round-robin, with the top four sides advancing to the Golden Square (semifinals), which will be played in a knockout format to determine the finalists.

In a move aimed at promoting player development, the Competitions Committee has approved the participation of youth and junior players without any limit on numbers. This initiative is designed to provide young talents with valuable experience by playing alongside senior athletes, thereby enhancing their skills and readiness for future age-group leagues and national competitions.