The Men's Elite Division is a team handball tournament to determine the U.S. National Champion. Only qualified teams are allowed to play in this division while teams who fail to qualify play in the Open Division. Automatic bids are given to the winners of the Northeast Team Handball League, Midwest Team Handball and, in the past, were also given to the Great Lakes Team Handball Association and Western Team Handball League. The current Elite Division format comprises 8 teams. Before the Elite Division was established, the National Champion was crowned in the Open Division.