Overview

• SG Flensburg-Handewitt has been drawn into Group A alongside AHC Potaissa Turda and the winners of Mors-Thy HB vs Saint-Raphaël Handball and Bidasoa Irun vs ABC Braga, with the top two teams advancing to the main round.
• THW Kiel will compete in Group B against Montpellier HB, Ostrovia Ostrow and the qualifier from BSV Bern vs MRK Čakovec as it pursues a spot in the next stage.
• MT Melsungen joins Group E with Ferencvaros Budapest, Benfica Lissabon and the winner of Chrobry Glogów vs HF Karlskrona in its bid to finish among the top two.
• TSV Hannover-Burgdorf must beat HC Alkaloid Skopje in qualification ties on August 30–31 and September 6–7 to secure its place in the group phase.
• The calendar now features two qualification weekends in late August and early September, a group phase from October 14 to December and a Final Four finale on May 30–31, 2026.