Season

The magic of the Volkspark: Record numbers and a feeling of togetherness

HSV had the sixth-highest home attendance in Germany in 2024, and sat in the top 20 worldwide. The Volksparkstadion is again sold-out for the clash with 1. FC Köln, and will be filled with over 50,000 fans for the 40th time in a row.

So often over the last months and years, the image of our full stands – which we will see once more on Saturday (18th January) – has shown the world the magic of the Volkspark. A sold-out stadium, an evening game under the floodlights and an atmosphere which is second to none. Every HSV fan in attendance can look forward to that yet again when two grand old clubs of German football meet in the evening game on Saturday, as HSV host 1. FC Köln. It is the undying support of the fans which puts this magic on show again and again. They gather in huge numbers, and will reach an impressive milestone against Köln.

On Saturday, there will be over 50,000 supporters at the Volksparkstadion for the 40th game in a row – an incredible run! The last time there were fewer than 50,000 was in September 2022 against Fortuna Düsseldorf. Since then, the 50,000-mark has been reached in 40 successive matches. 26 of these 40 home games were completely sold-out, which again shows the fans’ unwavering dedication and loyalty.

“The support from the fans has been unbelievable for many years. We know that we can count on every single one of them and their support,” said boss Merlin Polzin, who has experienced the atmosphere from the stands first-hand over his years, first as an assistant and now as a head coach. It has been incredible again this season, and has surely played a part in HSV being the only side in the league still unbeaten at home this campaign.

Hamburg will be looking to keep this run going against 1. FC Köln on Saturday. Köln are another team who can count on their supporters. The travelling fans will certainly contribute to the very special atmosphere at the Volkspark at the weekend. The Billy Goats have also managed to fill up their stadium for every home match and create an impressive atmosphere. HSV already experienced this on the first matchday of the season, when the Rothosen kicked off the campaign with a 2-1 win.

“The atmosphere is always incredible at Köln,” said Cologne-born midfielder Jonas Meffert. “It will also be a special game for Köln on Saturday though, because our stadium is a little bit bigger than theirs.” This larger stadium has also helped Hamburger SV place just ahead of 1. FC Köln in the recently-published rankings of average home attendance in 2024. What’s even more impressive though is HSV’s rank in the overall table. They sit sixth in Germany with an average of just under 56,000 spectators per home match.

Rank	Club	Average attendance
1.	Borussia Dortmund	81,365
2.	FC Bayern München	75,000
3.	FC Schalke 04	61,187
4.	VfB Stuttgart	59,250
5.	Eintracht Frankfurt	57,729
6.	Hamburger SV	55,871
7.	Borussia M'gladbach	53,248
8.	1. FC Köln	49,944
9.	Hertha BSC	48,244
10.	1. FC Kaiserslautern	46,276

The Rothosen also have an impressive standing in the worldwide table. On the list published by transfermarkt.de, HSV sit in the top 20 for the highest average home attendance in the world. Every HSV fan can be proud of this and the feeling of togetherness that has developed over the years!

Rank	Club	Average attendance
1.	River Plate	84,025
2.	Borussia Dortmund	81,365
3.	FC Bayern München	75,000
4.	Manchester United	73,701
5.	Inter Milan	73,525
6.	Real Madrid	73,172
7.	AC Milan	72,091
8.	AS Roma	62,778
9.	West Ham United	62,385
10.	Olympique Marseille	61,736
11.	FC Schalke 04	61,438
12.	Tottenham Hotspur	61,335
13.	Atlético Madrid	60,717
14.	Arsenal	60,301
15.	Liverpool	59,986
16.	Celtic	58,968
17.	VfB Stuttgart	57,935
18.	Eintracht Frankfurt	57,581
19.	Benfica	56,635
20.	Hamburger SV	55,871

Now, the aim is to finish as high as possible in the 2. Bundesliga table, and the next step towards that would be a fifth home win of the season in front of 50,000 HSV fans on Saturday. This would see HSV climb above current leaders 1. FC Köln, who sit three points ahead of the Rothosen. And this would add yet another chapter to the story of the magic of the Volkspark.