What DIE RECKEN does

DIE RECKEN (legal entity TSV Hannover-Burgdorf Handball GmbH) is a professional handball club based in Hannover, Germany, competing in the LIQUI MOLY/Daikin Handball-Bundesliga since promotion in 2009. The company operates the professional men's team spun off from parent association TSV Burgdorf e.V. (founded 1946, ~3,200 members) and serves three primary customer groups: individual Bundesliga fans and spectators attending home matches at the 10,000-capacity ZAG Arena, youth participants ages 6–14 through the HEKTORs Kinderclub and the RECKEN-Schmiede youth academy, and corporate sponsors and business partners (including ROSSMANN, Opel, htp, Kunze Immobilien, and a 60+ Vereinspartnerschaften club network). Revenue is generated across five streams: match and season ticket sales (distributed via online shop, ticket hotline, RECKEN-Geschäftsstelle, EVENTIM, and regional press outlets), sponsorship and Vermarktung deals, broadcasting and media rights via the Dyn streaming partnership, merchandise sold through the Erlebniswelt e-commerce shop (WooCommerce) and physical Sporthaus Gösch store, and recurring fan memberships (RECKEN-Bund, HEKTORs Kinderclub).

The core technology stack is a conventional digital ecosystem rather than a proprietary platform: WooCommerce for e-commerce, EVENTIM Sports for ticketing, Dyn as the league-wide live and on-demand streaming partner, PayPal and Sofortüberweisung for payment processing, and standard social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) supplemented by the "Auszeit! Der RECKEN-Podcast" in partnership with Antenne Niedersachsen. The club also operates dedicated training infrastructure including the Sportzentrum Vinnhorst Leistungszentrum (since 2021), Swiss Life Hall, and Gudrun-Pausewang-Schule, and runs a social-impact program (RECKEN verbinden) that has deployed six-figure euro sums in charitable donations alongside corporate sponsorships. The management team is led by Geschäftsführer Eike-Christian Korsen with Sporting Director Sven-Sören Christophersen, and the squad is coached by former world champion coach Juan Carlos Pastor (appointed January 2026).

Name

DIE RECKEN

Legal name

TSV Hannover-Burgdorf Handball GmbH

Website

https://die-recken.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DIE RECKEN (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf Handball GmbH) is a professional handball club in Germany's Bundesliga serving regional fans in Hannover, youth players through its RECKEN-Schmiede academy, and corporate sponsors via the ZAG Arena, streaming, and a 60+ partner-club network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (459110), Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Handball Leagues (MPAKAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Team & League Branded Merchandise Retail (Non-Apparel) (CRAMAOAF), Sports Collectibles, Fan Gear & Licensed Merchandise Retail (CRAMABAO)

Keywords

• Professional handball club
• Handball bundesliga entertainment
• Sports team merchandise
• Corporate sports sponsorship
• Fan membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Match Ticket Sales: Revenue from single-game tickets, season tickets (Dauerkarten), and combination packages sold through the online ticket shop, ticket hotline, the club's business office (Geschäftsstelle), and external presale points including HAZ/NP Ticketshop, regional newspapers, and EVENTIM outlets. Home games at the ZAG Arena draw up to 10,000 spectators; sold-out matches generate significant ticket revenue.
2. Merchandise and E-Commerce: The Erlebniswelt online shop sells official RECKEN merchandise including match-worn jerseys (€100-150), clothing, books, and fan experiences. The shop operates via WooCommerce with standard e-commerce payment processing.
3. Sponsorship and Vermarktung: Corporate sponsorship deals with named partners including title/sleeve sponsors (Opel as Bundesliga title sponsor, ROSSMANN as game-day sponsor), partner clubs in the Vereinspartnerschaften network, and VIP/ticket package sponsors. The Sponsoring & Vermarktung department manages partner relationships, activation, and naming rights.
4. Media and Broadcasting Rights: Revenue from the Dyn streaming partnership and league-wide media rights distribution from the Handball-Bundesliga. Matches are broadcast live on Dyn and selected free-to-air outlets (e.g., WELT TV, JOYN, SPORTBILD.de, BILD.de for key matches).
5. Fan Memberships: Fan membership programs including RECKEN-Bund and HEKTORs Kinderclub generate recurring membership fees and foster long-term fan engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

DIE RECKEN operates a professional men's handball team competing in the Handball-Bundesliga at the ZAG Arena in Hannover, with revenue driven by ticket sales (single-game and season tickets/Dauerkarten), official merchandise sold via the Erlebniswelt e-commerce shop, corporate sponsorship and partnership packages, broadcasting/streaming via Dyn, and recurring fan membership programs (RECKEN-Bund, HEKTORs Kinderclub).

Product overview

DIE RECKEN operates as a sports merchandise and fan engagement platform offering multiple product lines through its Erlebniswelt online shop and physical experiences. The core product portfolio consists of official match-worn merchandise including home jerseys, goalkeeper jerseys, and warm-up pullovers from various competitions (Bundesliga and EHF European League), all sold with authenticity certificates. Additional offerings include general apparel, experience packages featuring player interactions, and fan membership programs (RECKEN-Bund and HEKTORs Kinderclub). The merchandise is primarily sold through the erlebniswelt.die-recken.de e-commerce platform with payment processing via PayPal and Sofortüberweisung. Match streaming is provided through the Dyn platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RECKEN Erlebniswelt: Official merchandise and experience shop of the RECKEN handball club, offering match-worn jerseys, clothing, and exclusive experiences.
• RECKEN-Schmiede
• HEKTORs Kinderclub
• RECKEN-Bund
• RECKEN verbinden
• RECKEN-Knappen

Products and services

• Original Matchworn Heimtrikot (Bundesliga 2025/26) Match-worn home jersey from the Bundesliga 2025/26 season, sold individually with authenticity certificate at €150 incl. VAT plus shipping. Targeted at RECKEN fans and jersey collectors.
• Original Matchworn Torwarttrikot – Yellow (Bundesliga 2025/26) Match-worn yellow goalkeeper jersey from goalkeepers Simon Gade (16) and Joel Birlehm (35) during the Bundesliga 2025/26 season, sold with authenticity certificate at €100 incl. VAT plus shipping.
• Original Matchworn Torwarttrikot – Orange (Bundesliga 2025/26) Match-worn orange goalkeeper jersey from the Bundesliga 2025/26 season, available from goalkeepers Simon Gade and Joel Birlehm with authenticity certificate at €100 incl. VAT plus shipping.
• Original Matchworn Einlaufpullover (EHF European League 2025/26) Match-worn warm-up pullover worn during the EHF European League 2025/26 season, sold as unique memorabilia at €100 incl. VAT plus shipping.
• RECKEN Bekleidung (Clothing) General RECKEN-branded apparel category featured in the Erlebniswelt online shop, covering a range of fan clothing and accessories beyond match-worn items.
• RECKEN Erlebnisse (Fan Experiences) Exclusive fan experience packages featuring player interactions, on-court access (htp EinlaufKids, SpalierTeam, Spielfeldehrung), birthday matchday experiences (Kindergeburtstag), and corporate/group events sold through the Erlebniswelt platform.
• Bundesliga Match Tickets Single-game tickets, season tickets (Dauerkarten), and combination packages for Handball-Bundesliga home matches at the ZAG Arena, distributed via the RECKEN online ticket shop, ticket hotline (+49 1806 70 77 70), business office, and external presale partners.
• HEKTORs Kinderclub Membership Recurring fan membership program for children aged 6-14 offering access to RECKEN family activities, mascot HEKTOR engagement, and youth-focused handball content.
• RECKEN-Bund Fan Membership Recurring fan membership program for adult supporters of DIE RECKEN generating predictable membership revenue and long-term fan engagement.
• Bundesliga Live Streaming via Dyn Live and on-demand streaming of all TSV Hannover-Burgdorf Bundesliga and EHF European League matches via the Dyn streaming platform, accessible nationally and internationally.
• Corporate Sponsorship & Vermarktung Packages B2B sponsorship and partnership packages including title/game-day/player sponsorships, VIP hospitality, brand activation, and the 60+ club Vereinspartnerschaften partner network, sold to corporate marketing and CSR buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 9,900 spectators per home match at the ZAG Arena, with multiple sold-out matches in the 2025/26 season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ROSSMANNcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 November 2024ROSSMANN is the main game-day sponsor for the DIE RECKEN match against SC Magdeburg (November 2024). Under the 'RECKEN verbinden' initiative, ROSSMANN and RECKEN jointly donated €30,000 to three children's charities (€10,000 each: Kinderschutzbund Burgdorf, Wünschewagen Niedersachsen, Verein für krebskranke Kinder Hannover). CEO Michael Rybak stated the partnership focuses on regional social responsibility.
• TuS VinnhorstminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021RECKEN expanded training infrastructure to include the Sportzentrum Vinnhorst (a 100m multisport center Leistungszentrum). The partnership with TuS Vinnhorst provides RECKEN with additional training facilities to supplement Swiss Life Hall and Gudrun-Pausewang-Schule, enabling professional training conditions even during events and school sports conflicts.
• DyncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDyn is the exclusive streaming partner for Handball-Bundesliga matches, providing live and on-demand coverage of all RECKEN home and away games. Key matches are also broadcast on free-to-air channels (WELT TV, JOYN, SPORTBILD.de, BILD.de). Dyn enables RECKEN to reach audiences nationally and internationally beyond the physical arena.
• OpelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOpel is the title sponsor of the Handball-Bundesliga (Opel Handball-Bundesliga). The RECKEN operate within this league sponsorship framework, with Opel branding on league communications and match broadcasts.
• htpminorGTM or Marketing Partnerhtp sponsors the htp EinlaufKids program, where children run onto the court with the players before home games. This provides brand visibility during the pre-match ritual and positions htp as a family-friendly regional telecommunications provider.
• Kunze Immobilien e.K.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJan Wilhelm Kunze is the 'Spieler-Pate' (player sponsor) for Johan Hansen. Kunze Immobilien supports the player and receives brand association with the award-winning athlete.
• Vereinspartnerschaften Network (60+ Partner Clubs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIE RECKEN maintain formal Vereinspartnerschaften (club partnership) agreements with 60+ handball clubs across Lower Saxony and beyond including HC Salzgitter, DTV Hannover, FC Viktoria Thiede, Förderverein handball youth Wunstorf, HSG Verden-Aller, Garbsener-SC, Golfclub Hannover, Hagener SV, Hannover Grizzlies, HSC Ehmen, HSG Langelsheim-Astfeld, HSG Langenhagen, HSG Nienburg, HSV Osnabrück, MTV Bevern, MTV Elze, TuS Vinnhorst, TV Jahn Duderstadt, VfL Westercelle, and many others. Partners benefit from the positive image values of Bundesliga handball and access to professional coaching environments.
• TKH (Turn-Klubb zu Hannover) / HVN (Handballverband Niedersachsen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIE RECKEN co-founded the Grundschulliga (primary school handball league) with TKH and HVN. The program involves approximately 100 children across 6 match days per school year, promoting youth handball development in the Hannover region.
• ZAG Arena / Hannover ConcertscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZAG Arena (formerly TUI Arena) on the Expo Gelände is the primary home venue with up to 10,000 spectator capacity. Hannover Concerts/Event operates the venue. RECKEN have played all home games here since the 2020/21 season.
• Sporthaus GöschminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSporthaus Gösch operates the physical RECKEN fan shop for merchandise purchases. Linked from die-recken.de as the official fan store.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SG Flensburg-Handewitt: Top-tier German Handball-Bundesliga club and perennial title contender. Comparable in operating model (matchday, sponsorship, e-commerce, academy) and the strongest direct competitor for sponsors and talent in the northern German market.
• HC Erlangen: Handball-Bundesliga club operating as a GmbH with similar size profile. Direct competitor in league play and a useful peer for benchmarking ticketing, sponsorship, and youth academy economics.
• VfL Gummersbach: Traditional Handball-Bundesliga club with a long history. Comparable as a mid-size private sports GmbH with similar fan club, membership, and ticketing structures.
• MT Melsungen: Handball-Bundesliga club from northern Hesse. Mid-tier competitor with comparable sponsorship structure and youth development emphasis, useful as a peer for operations and sponsorship benchmarking.
• Füchse Berlin: Berlin-based Handball-Bundesliga club with strong corporate sponsorship base and modern commercial operations. Direct competitor in league play and a comparable mid-size professional club with similar GTM mechanics.
• THW Kiel: Germany's most successful handball club and record Bundesliga champion. Direct competitor in the LIQUI MOLY Handball-Bundesliga with similar revenue model (ticketing, sponsorship, merchandise, media rights) and significantly larger scale, providing a benchmark for ceiling revenue and brand potential.
• SC Magdeburg: Bundesliga rival and reigning champion club with strong European pedigree. Comparable revenue mix, arena-based operations (GETEC Arena), and similar youth-to-pro pipeline model.
• Rhein-Neckar Löwen: Mannheim/Heidelberg-based Handball-Bundesliga club. Direct league rival with comparable regional identity, similar arena scale, and parallel commercial structure to DIE RECKEN.
• Frisch Auf Göppingen: Historic Handball-Bundesliga club with similar regional-anchor positioning and traditional private-club GmbH structure. Comparable in scale, academy operation, and sponsorship mix.

Others

• Handball-Bundesliga GmbH: The league entity that centralizes media rights, sponsorship frameworks (e.g., Opel title sponsor), and competition scheduling. Not a direct competitor but a critical commercial counterparty whose decisions (e.g., the Dyn streaming partnership) directly shape each club's revenue ceiling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZvO9dZYiwgHVwQUworaagQ
• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/DIERECKEN
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/tsv-hannover-burgdorf-handball-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/dierecken/?hl=de
• Xx.com/dierecken

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DIE RECKEN