SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – The journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is starting in the heart of Siouxland.
USA Team Handball announced Wednesday, July 8, that the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team will face Canada in a two-game qualifier series on Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at the Long Lines Family Recreation Center in downtown Sioux City, Iowa.
Match & Ticket Information Game 1: Friday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. Location: Long Lines Family Recreation Center, Downtown Sioux City, IA Tickets: Available now at Zeffy Ticketing
The winner of the two-game series will advance to the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. The Pan American Games serve as the Olympic qualifying event for men’s handball across North and South America, making Team USA and Team Canada in Sioux City the opening stage of LA28 Olympic qualification.
Handball has been part of the Olympic program for more than 50 years with a major professional presence across Europe and beyond.
A possible handball team in Sioux City
The Sioux City event holds special significance for the sport’s future in the United States.
Briar Cliff University (BCU) has announced it is exploring adding a varsity men’s and women’s handball program, officials saying it would make BCU the first varsity collegiate handball program in the country.
“Briar Cliff’s exploration of what would be the first varsity men’s and women’s collegiate handball program in the United States is an exciting sign for the future of our sport,” Michael King, CEO of USA Team Handball, said in a press release. “As we build toward LA28 and beyond, creating real collegiate pathways, scholarship opportunities, and institutional homes for American handball athletes is the kind of step that can turn Olympic momentum into lasting national development.”
In addition to the national team matches, USA Team Handball, Explore Siouxland, BCU, and local partners will host community opportunities designed to introduce the sport to athletes and families across the region.
Students from elementary school through high school around the Siouxland region will have the opportunity to try handball and participate in clinics coached by members of Team USA on Thursday, August 6, at CNOS Fieldhouse, hosted by BCU.
Registration for the Youth clinic, community event information, and broadcast details will be announced soon.
To learn more about the sport of handball, follow this link
Event Schedule At-A-Glance
Thursday, August 6: Youth Handball Clinic — CNOS Fieldhouse (Presented by Briar Cliff University) Friday, August 7: USA vs. Canada (Game 1) — 7 p.m. at Long Lines Family Recreation Center Saturday, August 8: USA vs. Canada (Game 2) — 3 p.m. at Long Lines Family Recreation Center
“Handball is a fun, exciting, and rapidly emerging sport. With Team USA here in Sioux City, we’re using this event as an opportunity to introduce the sport to a new fan base and to our member schools,” Corey Westra, GPAC Commissioner, said in a press release.
Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.
Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.