SK Sugar Gliders Prepare to Defend Title in 2025-2026 Handball H League

The Shinhan SOL Bank 2025-2026 Handball H League women’s competition is set to begin on January 10th, with the SK Sugar Gliders of Gwangmyeong City looking to secure their third consecutive overall championship. The opening match will feature a clash between SK and Gwangju Urban Development Corporation at Gwangmyeong Gymnasium at 2:00 PM.

Season Overview

The women’s H-League season will see eight teams compete,each playing 21 games over three rounds,concluding on April 19th. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the postseason playoffs. The league will be hosted across six cities: Gwangmyeong, Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Cheongju, and Samcheok.

Key Contenders

Several teams are expected to be strong contenders for the championship this season:

• SK Sugar Gliders: The reigning champions, boasting an remarkable 20-1 record last season, including a 19-game winning streak. They’ve added new talent in Song Hae-ri, Choi Ji-hye, and Yoon Ye-jin, while retaining key players like Kang Kyeong-min and goalkeeper Park Jo-eun.
• Busan Facility Corporation: Strengthened by the return of national team star Ryu Eun-hee, who previously played in European leagues, Busan is poised for a strong showing.
• Samcheok city Hall: A consistent powerhouse, Samcheok City Hall has bolstered their roster with the addition of former Japanese national team players Kinjo Arisawa, Lee Yeon-kyung, and Jeong Hyeon-hee.

Player Updates and Transfers

The off-season saw significant player movement. Yoo So-jung from SK has moved to a foreign league. Lee Hyo-jin has transferred from Incheon City Hall to gwangju Urban Development Corporation.Ryu Eun-hee’s return to the busan Facilities Corporation after a stint in the French and hungarian leagues is expected to have a major impact.

Men’s League Resumption

The men’s H-League will resume its schedule on February 5th following the Asian Championships in January.

Reporter Oh Chang-won