As of: January 14, 2026 1:56 p.m
The cancellation of the home game against Bayer Leverkusen came as a surprise to HSV fans. Today the roof membrane of the Volksparkstadion is to be checked. Can the Bundesliga game against Borussia Mönchengladbach take place in the HSV Arena on Saturday?
“We will work hard to ensure that we can open a Volksparkstadion that is fit for play and safe for the home game against Gladbach,” said stadium director Daniel Nolte on Tuesday evening. That means: Today HSV is climbing its own roof.
Specialist structural engineer on duty
“Structural specialists and other experts will work with us to analyze and evaluate the areas for potential damage,” explained Nolte. All on the premise that the game against Gladbach scheduled for Saturday (3:30 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter) can be played – without a safety risk for the spectators.
HSV works with pumps to combat condensation
The thaw following the snow in Hamburg continues to cause problems for the club. “Condensation and other point loads have also developed in other parts of the roof, also due to the rain that has now started,” says Nolte. “Due to the snow still lying in many places, the water is unfortunately not flowing away as desired. We are working with pumps to help.”
Leverkusen cancellation “unavoidable” for security reasons
The Leverkusen game was canceled at short notice on Tuesday evening after an assessment by structural engineers. Condensation had collected under the snow on the roof membrane of the stadium, and as a result the catwalk, the walkway under the stadium roof, had also deformed.
The short-term closure of the Volksparkstadion and cancellation of the match around two and a half hours before kick-off were “inevitable,” said Nolte: “Theoretically, the membrane could have torn and the catwalk could have fallen into the spectators. Accordingly, a safety risk for people cannot be ruled out.”
57,000 fans wanted to watch the game in the sold-out arena, but some then stood in front of closed doors or had to turn back on their journey. There was great displeasure in the HSV fan camp, but there was also understanding.
HSV donates food to aid organizations
The club donated some of the food prepared for the game to aid organizations. Liver cheese and fish rolls as well as baked goods were quickly loaded into vans for distribution, the HSV announced one day after the game was canceled. In total, 750 people were reached and cared for at facilities such as the Hamburg Warming Room, the Bahnhofsmission and the Hamburger Tafel.
The catch-up game will probably be a long time coming
The DFL wants to decide on a rescheduling of the match as quickly as possible. But a timely date is not possible: Leverkusen is in the DFB Cup quarter-finals (on February 3rd against FC St. Pauli) and is still playing in the Champions League. That’s why the game at HSV can’t be rescheduled until the second week of February at the earliest.