Volksparkstadion Hamburg – tournament stadium description

What matches will take place at Volksparkstadion Hamburg during Euro 2024?

How Volksparkstadion Hamburg compares to other Euro 2024 venues?

What is the history of Volksparkstadion Hamburg?

The precursor to the Volksparkstadion was Altonaer Stadion, which was inaugurated on September 11, 1925. The stadium held up to 40,000 spectators in its stands. In 1928 the venue hosted the German championship title game, in which Hamburger SV defeated Hertha BSC 5:2. The German national team also played there three times.

Altonaer Stadion suffered heavily during World War II. In 1951 Hamburg authorities decided to demolish it and build a new, much larger facility in its place. Materials from buildings demolished during the war were partly used to build the arena. The new stadium was put into operation on July 12, 1953.

The stadium was equipped with an athletics track, and the stands of the new venue were supported on massive ramparts. The main stand, located on the north side, was divided into two tiers, and the upper part was covered. The eastern curve was slightly lower than the other stands. With a capacity of 75,000 spectators, it was then the second largest stadium in West Germany (after the Olympic Stadium in Berlin).

In 1960, four floodlight masts were erected in the corners. After the establishment of the Bundesliga in 1963, Hamburger SV moved into the stadium, having previously played their matches at Sportplatz am Rothenbaum.

Prior to the 1974 World Cup, the south stand was roofed and equipped with seating, resulting in the stadium's capacity dropping to around 61,000 spectators. An electronic scoreboard also appeared on the western curve.

In 1998 Hamburger SV bought the stadium from the city for a symbolic one mark and began a major reconstruction. The work proceeded in stages so that matches could continue to be played at the same location, but at the end the result was a brand-new, football-specific stadium, devoid of an athletics track and with the pitch rotated to a north-south axis. Construction was completed in the summer of 2000.

What events has Volksparkstadion Hamburg hosted so far?

The new Volksparkstadion had the opportunity to host matches of the 2006 World Cup, and in 2010 the UEFA Europa League final was played there. Before the major reconstruction between 1998 and 2000, it also hosted the 1974 World Cup and 1988 European Championship matches, as well as the national athletics championships (4 times).

Volksparkstadion has hosted the German national team on several occasions. The permanent host of the venue is Hamburger SV. Among HSV's most electrifying matches are the Hamburg derby against FC St. Pauli.

What does Volksparkstadion Hamburg look like?

The stadium has a fairly simple, symmetrical form. The facility impresses with its size and large membrane roofing. The stands can hold about 57,000 spectators for Bundesliga matches (including standing room) and are divided into two floors, with a larger upper tier. The HSV branding and the ubiquitous blue color scheme draw attention.

What is the name of the Hamburg stadium?

The facility was originally named Volksparkstadion (People's Stadium), after the adjacent park (Altonaer Volkspark). The name remained in use for nearly half a century.

In 2001 (shortly after the completion of a major reconstruction), the stadium received its first title sponsor and was renamed AOL Arena. In 2007 the name was changed to HSH Nordbank Arena, and in 2010 to Imtech Arena. In 2015, the name Volksparkstadion was restored.

What interesting facts are associated with Volksparkstadion Hamburg?

• The stadium has already had three title sponsors since the big 1998–2000 redevelopment, resulting in frequent name changes. In 2015, billionaire Klaus-Michael Kühne paid for the naming rights, not to advertise a product, but to bring back the traditional name – Volksparkstadion
• Hamburger SV was one of 16 clubs that participated in the first edition of the Bundesliga in the 1963/64 season. HSV was only relegated from the elite for the first time in 2018, as the last of those 16 teams. Since 2001, a special clock was even placed in the northwest corner of the stadium, counting down the years, days and hours spent continuously in the Bundesliga

Where is Volksparkstadion Hamburg located?

The stadium is located in the western part of Hamburg, in the Bahrenfeld district. In its immediate vicinity is the Altonaer Volkspark and, opened in 2002, the Barclays Arena. The Eidelstedt train station and the A7 highway interchange are also not far from the stadium.