The 1997 IHF World Women's Handball Championship took place in Germany 30 November – 14 December 1997.

The tournament was also remembered for a tragic incident in the stands during one match of the semi-final matches, between Denmark and Russia (32-22), when a fight broke out between a Danish and a German spectator.

The fight developed into the German taking out a knife and stabbing the Dane.

He admitted to the stabbing during the police interrogation, and said that he committed it while under the influence of alcohol.

[5] The matches were held in the cities of Berlin, Hanover, Saarbrücken, Hamburg, Sindelfingen, Neubrandenburg and Rotenburg an der Fulda.