HAMBURG
VOLKSPARKSTADION
The Volksparkstadion is located in the German city of Hamburg and is home to Hamburger SV. The stadium was renovated in 1998 and again in 2022 in preparation for Euro 2024, where five games will be played here. This page will showcase the history of the Volksparkstadion, look at useful transport connections and break down the games that will be hosted here during the tournament.
History of the Volksparkstadion
Built originally in the 1920s the Volksparkstadion was reconstructed between 1951 and 1953 and then again in 1998. The latter, an almost total rebuild, was partly in preparation for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Five of the games that summer were played in Hamburg – the ground was known as the FIFA World Cup Stadium Hamburg for the duration of the tournament, for sponsorship reasons.
As part of the 1998 redevelopment, it was rotated 90 degrees to not only take advantage of sunlight but to provide a better viewing experience from all stands. The running track around the perimeter of the pitch was also removed, creating an environment better suited to watching football. At a cost of approximately €100 million, the venue has been used for concerts as well as Hamburger SV home matches.
The first game following the rebuild was between Germany and Greece, with the hosts winning 2-0 on 2nd September 2000. Following the redevelopment, the Volksparkstadion became a Category 4 stadium, making it eligible to host Champions League and Europa League finals. The five World Cup matches which took place there in 2006 were:
- Argentina 2-1 Ivory Coast (Group C)
- Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica (Group A)
- Saudi Arabia 0-4 Ukraine (Group H)
- Czech Republic 0-2 Italy (Group E)
- Italy 3-0 Ukraine (Quarter-finals)
With the stadium chosen as one of the 10 venues to host matches in 2024 further renovations were undertaken from 2022, with the goal of updating the stadium, improving the roof membrane and enhancing the sound system and lighting.
As well as a football venue, the Volksparkstadion has also been used for a number of music concerts and other sporting events. A heavyweight unification boxing match between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye took place here in 2011, with the Ukrainian winning on points in front of a sold-out crowd.
Additionally, the stadium has seen performances by Depeche Mode, Coldplay and Harry Styles among many others. Following this competition, Taylor Swift will perform at the Volksparkstadion as part of her Eras Tour.
What Games will be Played at the Volksparkstadion?
There will be five games played at the Volksparkstadion during this summer’s competition. They are as follows:
- Poland vs Netherlands (Group D, 16th June)
- Croatia vs Albania (Group B, 19th June)
- Georgia vs Czech Republic (Group F, 22nd June)
- Czech Republic vs Turkey (Group F, 26th June)
- Winner Match 41 vs Winner Match 42 (Quarter-finals, 5th July)
Location of the Volksparkstadion
Located less than 10 kilometres from central Hamburg, the Volksparkstadion can be accessed easily by different modes of transport.
By Train The nearest railway station to the Volksparkstadion is Stellingen station, around a 25-minute walk away. The station is served by the Hamburg S-Bahn, on lines S3 and S21 and is also connected to Schleswig-Holstein in the north, with services operated by AKN Railways. The stadium can also be accessed by travelling to Othmasrchen station and, from there as well as Stellingen station, a free bus shuttle service operates to the Volksparkstadion on matchdays and for other major events.
By Road For those driving to the Volksparkstadion, the A7 runs close to the stadium and exit Hamburg-Volkspark is the one to take for access. There are several large car parks in the vicinity of the stadium, though be aware that for larger events and high-profile matches the area will be busy.
By Air The city of Hamburg is the second-largest in Germany after the capital, Berlin. Hamburg stands at the head of the River Elbe and the Port of Hamburg is the biggest in Germany and third largest in Europe. A major international and domestic tourist destination, the nearest airport to the city is Hamburg Airport (HAM), located around 12 kilometres outside the city centre. The two-terminal airport boasts connections across Germany, Europe and the rest of the world.
Capacity of the Volksparkstadion
The Volksparkstadion has a capacity of 57,000 for league matches. For international matches a maximum number of 51,000 can be accommodated in the stadium as the standing areas have to be converted to seating, as per governing body regulations.
