Volksparkstadion

The history of a major stadium on this Hamburg site stretches back a century, though the current structure dates from the post-war reconstruction era.

Construction and early years

A stadium opened on this site as early as 1925, but war damage led to the construction of an entirely new facility. The modern stadium was inaugurated in 1953, and Hamburger SV immediately became its principal tenant. Over the following decades the ground was progressively updated, but the most dramatic transformation came in preparation for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, when the entire structure was rebuilt as a fully enclosed, all-seater modern arena with a capacity of 57,000.

The naming-rights era

The stadium's identity has been shaped by a series of corporate naming deals. The historic Volksparkstadion name was replaced by AOL Arena in 2001. When that deal expired, HSH Nordbank Arena took over from 2007, followed by Imtech Arena from 2010. In 2015 the club chose to drop commercial naming and restore the original name, Volksparkstadion, a move welcomed by supporters.

2006 World Cup rebuild

The pre-tournament reconstruction was total — the old terrace oval was replaced by a sleek enclosed bowl with covered seating throughout, transforming the ground into a venue fully fit for elite international football.

Volksparkstadion produces one of northern Germany's most vibrant matchday atmospheres, built on the proud identity of a club that spent 55 consecutive seasons in the Bundesliga before its relegation in 2018.

Fan culture

Hamburger SV fans are fiercely proud of their club's unique record as the only founding Bundesliga member to have remained in the top flight until 2018. That sense of tradition runs deep in the terraces. The Nordkurve (north stand) is the epicentre of active support — flags, drums, and coordinated chants fill the curved end from first to last minute. The blue-and-white colour scheme floods the stadium on matchdays, creating a vivid spectacle.

Memorable occasions

The 2010 UEFA Europa League Final stands as one of the great nights at Volksparkstadion: Atletico Madrid edged Fulham 2-1 after extra time in front of a packed crowd. The 1974 FIFA World Cup gave the ground its first global exposure, and the 2006 World Cup — with four matches including a quarter-final — confirmed its status among Europe's premier football venues. The restoration of the Volksparkstadion name in 2015 was greeted as a symbolic homecoming by the fanbase.

Visiting Volksparkstadion is straightforward, with reliable public transport and good road access making it accessible from Hamburg's city centre and beyond.

How to get there

• S-Bahn: Lines S21 and S3, station Stellingen — approximately 20 minutes from Hamburg Hauptbahnhof; 15-minute walk to the stadium
• Car: Motorway A7, exit Volkspark; large car parks directly adjacent to the ground, though they fill early on matchdays
• Bus: Connecting local bus service from Stellingen station to the stadium gates

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for Hamburger SV are available through the club's official website. Heavily supported fixtures sell out quickly. Stadium tours covering the players' tunnel, dressing rooms, and stand views can be booked online and are popular with visitors.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 45 minutes before kick-off; entry is well organised but queues build at busy fixtures
• What to wear: Blue and white for HSV matches; comfortable footwear for the walk from the S-Bahn
• Food and drink: Wide range of food stands and kiosks inside the concourse; options outside the park setting are limited