First Ace

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FIRST ACE is a proactive effort to expand the game of Handball and help others realize the amazing benefits of the sport.

10/20/2026

Could your city be the next national handball destination? Every year, United States Handball Association national championships travel around the country, and the cities that host them tend to see more local members, more new players, and more eyes on the game.

Here's what a strong host typically brings:

▪️ Courts that meet the event's minimum
▪️ A local club or organizing group ready to lead
▪️ Volunteer capacity for tournament weekend
▪️ A commitment to a welcoming experience for visiting players

In return, hosts receive publicity through Handball Magazine, a USHA representative on site, and a bigger draw for their own tournament. Hosting is one of the most direct ways a community can help grow the game.

Review the hosting information at www.ushandball.org/host-a-national-event or call us at (520) 795-0434 with a city or facility in mind.

10/13/2026

The 42nd Annual Thomas H. Burnett Missouri State Bear Bash and the 2026 USHA Women's Classic come together October 30 through November 1 at the National Handball Center in Hazelwood, Missouri.

The Men's and Women's Open divisions are designated WPH pre-qualifiers; every woman entered in the Women's Classic is guaranteed at least three matches; and with the weekend landing on Halloween, organizers plan to have some fun with it.

Tournament weekends like this are where the handball community does what it does best. Players compete, longtime friends reconnect, and someone new gets pulled into the game for the first time. If you've never seen the National Handball Center, this is a great weekend to walk in the door.

Review the event details at www.ushandball.org/event/42nd-annual-thomas-h-burnett-missouri-state-bear-bash-and-usha-womens-classic and share this with your handball network.

09/29/2026

More handball, more connection, and more ways to stay in the game. That's what a United States Handball Association membership is built around, and fall is a great time to renew or get started!

Members receive:

▪️ Handball Magazine delivered to your mailbox
▪️ The official Handball Rulebook
▪️ 20% off equipment and merchandise
▪️ Full access to members-only content
▪️ The national Court Locator

Plans are available for juniors and full-time students, with quarterly auto-renewal and one-year and three-year options. A college player can pick an affordable plan, pull up the Court Locator, and find a game wherever school takes them.

Join or renew: www.ushandball.org/become-a-member.

09/22/2026

Our team works from Tucson and St. Louis, but the game we support stretches across the country, from the World Wallball Championships in New York City this month to the courts in your own neighborhood.

That's what the Court Locator and events calendar are for. The court listings were compiled by the handball community for the handball community, and the calendar lets you browse tournaments by month and follow the big events from anywhere.

A Tucson player might spot a tournament a few states away, find a court to practice on in that city, and follow a championship from home the week before.

Wherever you play, USHA keeps you connected to the people on the other side of the wall.

Find a court near you at www.ushandball.org/find-a-court or call us at (520) 795-0434.

09/09/2026

The world's best wallball players are heading to New York City! For the first time ever, the World Wallball Championships come to NYC from September 14 through 19, with matches spread across courts in Brooklyn and Queens.

This event features one-wall handball and wallball, both played against a single wall rather than inside an enclosed court. It's a fast, accessible style of play, and for plenty of athletes, it's the first version of handball they ever fall for. Opening Ceremony will be held Monday, Sept. 14, 8:30am-NOON, at City Tech College in Brooklyn (285 Jay St. Brooklyn, NY 11201). Open finals will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, in Central Park North Meadow courts with closing ceremony at the New York Athletic Club (180 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019), 6:30pm-10:30.

Whether you're competing, cheering from the sidelines, or following along from home, this is one of those weeks the handball community will be talking about for a long time.

Find event details at www.ushandball.org/event/2026-world-wallball-championships.

08/27/2026

The World Wallball Championships are getting closer, and the energy around this event keeps building.

In September, players from across the world will head to New York City for a tournament that feels bigger than a normal competition. Historic courts, international matchups, packed divisions, and the chance to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages all in one week.

Some players have been training for this event all year. For others, it’ll be their first chance to test themselves against international competition.

The schedule is getting closer, travel plans are being finalized, and divisions are filling up. Players ready to be part of this moment can secure their spot now at r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=49831.

08/13/2026

Every strong handball community starts with young players feeling like they belong the moment they step onto the court.

A first rally. A teammate cheering them on. Staying after a match to keep playing just a little longer. Those early experiences are often what turn a curious kid into a lifelong player.

That’s why International Youth Day means so much to the handball community. The sport teaches far more than competition. It builds confidence, resilience, friendships, and a sense of connection that can last for years, both on and off the court.

Programs like First Ace help introduce more junior players to the game and give them opportunities to keep growing in the sport. More about the program and its impact on young athletes can be found at ushandball.org/first-ace/.

07/15/2026

Every experienced handball player can remember their first ace.

That one perfect shot that finally came together and made them want to keep playing. First Ace was built around that feeling, helping young players discover confidence on the court while building discipline, friendships, and opportunities beyond the game itself.

Through equipment support, junior grants, and travel assistance, the program helps more kids stay connected to handball as they grow in the sport.

Many of today’s players are still involved in the game because someone encouraged them early, gave them a chance to compete, or made them feel part of the handball community. First Ace helps create more of those starting points for the next generation through ushandball.org/first-ace-grants/.

07/01/2026

Junior tournaments bring a completely different energy to the court.

There’s excitement in every rally, players learning in real time, families packed around the sidelines, and young athletes starting to realize they belong in this sport. That’s what makes the Junior Three-Wall event in LaGrange such an important weekend for handball.

From July 24-26, junior players from across the country will compete, improve, and build connections that often keep them involved in the game for years afterward. Weekends like this are often where young players truly fall in love with the sport and decide they want to keep competing.

Parents, coaches, clubs, and older players all play a role in helping that next generation grow. First Ace continues helping create more of those opportunities at ushandball.org/first-ace/.

06/29/2026

The countdown to New York is officially on! This September, players from around the world will take over courts across Brooklyn, Queens, and Central Park for the 2026 World Wallball Championships, one of the biggest events the sport has seen in years.

Open divisions, juniors, masters, singles, doubles, small ball, big ball, iconic courts, international matchups. This is the kind of tournament people talk about long after it’s over.

For some players, it’s the chance to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages. For others, it’s an opportunity to experience the atmosphere, reconnect with the handball community, and be part of a huge moment for the game.

New York is going to be special, and we’re excited to see you there. Event updates, registration, and tournament information can be followed at r2sports.com.

Address

2333 N Tucson Boulevard
Tucson, AZ
85716

Telephone

+15207950434

Website

http://www.ushandball.org/

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