Goalball
Goalball is a game for blind and visually impaired athletes. Two teams of three, all wearing eyeshades, take turns throwing a ball with bells inside along the floor, aiming to get it across the opponents' 9-metre goal line. Court lines are tape over string so players can feel them.
New to goalball? Start here
How long
Two halves of 12 minutes, with a 5-minute half-time
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Paralympic Games (goalball)The top title in goalball.Every 4 years · Holder: Men's: Japan · Women's: Turkey
- 2IBSA Goalball World ChampionshipsThe sport's own world title.Every 4 years (to check) · Holder: 2026, Hangzhou: China won both
- 3Asian Para Games (goalball)Asia's para multi-sport title, held after the Asian Games in the same city.Every 4 years · Holder: 22 sports, 501 events
India
India has no Paralympic medal and is not named in the saved World Championships results [the two pages].
- Goalball at the Paralympic Games: No medal
- IBSA Goalball World Championships: Not named in the saved results
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- United StatesGoalball at the Paralympic Games: 3 golds, 6 silvers, 3 bronzes (latest 2020); IBSA Goalball World Championships: 5 golds, 2 silvers, 4 bronzes (latest 2014)
- FinlandGoalball at the Paralympic Games: 3 golds, 2 silvers (latest 2012); IBSA Goalball World Championships: 3 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze (latest 2014)
- ChinaGoalball at the Paralympic Games: 1 gold, 4 silvers, 1 bronze (latest 2024); IBSA Goalball World Championships: 3 golds, 3 silvers (latest 2026)
- DenmarkGoalball at the Paralympic Games: 3 golds, 1 silver, 3 bronzes (latest 2008); IBSA Goalball World Championships: 1 gold, 2 silvers, 1 bronze (latest 1990)
- TurkeyGoalball at the Paralympic Games: 3 golds, 1 bronze (latest 2024); IBSA Goalball World Championships: 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronzes (latest 2026)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), Goalball Rules and Regulations 2025 |
| International federation | IBSA |
| In India | The Paralympic Committee of India is on the MYAS list for 2026; which body runs goalball in India is not checked |
Searched 2026-10-20: a search result named a Goalball Federation of India, but no source could be saved, so the record does not state it.
Where and when it is played
On a court 18 by 9 metres, with goals the full 9-metre width. The big events: the Paralympic Games every four years and the IBSA Goalball World Championships.