Exploring the home advantage and home winning effect in handball: Differences between sexes and team level.

This study analyzed and compared home advantage (HA) and home winning percentage (HW) by sex and team classification in the Spanish First Division handball leagues over ten seasons (2013–2024, excluding the COVID-19 affected season). HA was defined as the percentage of total points earned at home relative to total points, while HW was the percentage of home wins relative to home games played. Teams were categorized into high-level (HLT), medium-level (MLT), and low-level teams (LLT) based on seasonal winning percentages. Results showed that male teams exhibited higher HA than female teams, particularly among medium and low-level teams, though HW did not differ significantly by sex overall. Low-level teams demonstrated greater HA but lower HW compared to higher-level teams, indicating a stronger reliance on home games for success, whereas high-level teams maintained higher HW both home and away. Notably, female teams showed no significant HA differences across team levels, suggesting a more uniform home effect. The findings highlight sex and team-level differences in home performance dynamics within elite Spanish handball, with implications for coaching, marketing, and competition strategies.