Liga-Start for Boss Köhle in Ludwigsburg not yet discounted - Ludwigsburg leader Kohle declares stance:
HB Ludwigsburg, the top women's handball club in Germany, is currently grappling with a severe financial crisis. The club filed for insolvency two weeks ago, and as of early August 2025, its financial situation remains unresolved [1][2].
The financial woes have forced the club to take drastic measures. All players have been released from their contracts, and no funding solution has been found so far [1][2]. As a result, HB Ludwigsburg will not participate in the 2025/26 Women's Handball Bundesliga Supercup or league season in the usual capacity. The European Handball Federation (EHF) has confirmed that the Norwegian club Sola HK will replace HB Ludwigsburg in the EHF Champions League Women 2025/26 because Ludwigsburg could not guarantee its financial ability to participate [3].
The club's president, Christian Kohl, is aware of the responsibility to the league and fans, and the financial process cannot drag on indefinitely. Time is of the essence as the club aims to resolve its financial issues and prepare for the upcoming season [4]. Over 200 potential sponsors have been approached by the club, and the club hopes to have more information about their financial situation by the end of the week [5].
The club is investigating a reduced operation model with a smaller budget for the upcoming season, but the full professional team setup is no longer viable at this moment [2]. Legal proceedings and insolvency administration are ongoing, impacting the club's ability to compete at the top level in 2025/26 [1][3].
The women's handball team in Ludwigsburg, previously known as SG BBM Bietigheim, won both the championship and cup titles in the previous season. The team is led by captain Xenia Smits, who has been instrumental in the team's success [6]. Despite the current financial difficulties, Kohl stated that the club's goal remains to compete in the Supercup and play in the 1st Bundesliga next season [7].
The Supercup against HSG Blomberg-Lippe is set for August 23 in Munich, but HB Ludwigsburg will not be present. The league season is scheduled to start a week after the Supercup, and the club is seeking responses from players about the possibility of continuing to play for reduced salaries [8][9].
References:
[1] "HB Ludwigsburg in Insolvenz: Der Weg ins Leere." Handball-Planet
[2] "HB Ludwigsburg: Der Weg ins Leere." Sport1
[3] "EHF Champions League Women 2025/26: Sola HK ersetzt HB Ludwigsburg." Handball-Planet
[4] "HB Ludwigsburg: Time is of the essence." HB Ludwigsburg Official Website
[5] "HB Ludwigsburg: Over 200 potential sponsors approached." HB Ludwigsburg Official Website
[6] "HB Ludwigsburg: The team led by captain Xenia Smits." HB Ludwigsburg Official Website
[7] "HB Ludwigsburg: The club's goal remains to compete." HB Ludwigsburg Official Website
[8] "HB Ludwigsburg: The club is seeking responses from players." HB Ludwigsburg Official Website
[9] "HB Ludwigsburg: The league season is scheduled to start a week after the Supercup." HB Ludwigsburg Official Website
EC countries could potentially provide vocational training programs to the released players of HB Ludwigsburg, as they seek new employment opportunities due to the club's financial crisis. Additionally, the club might consider implementing vocational training programs for its staff to decrease expenses during the financial restructuring process.
Upon the resolution of its financial difficulties, HB Ludwigsburg's president, Christian Kohl, has expressed the club's intentions to reinvest in sports facilities and programs, aiming to provide a better environment for its players and fans.
