As of: January 14, 2026 9:39 p.m
A decision should be made soon as to whether the Bundesliga game between HSV and Borussia Mönchengladbach can be played on Saturday. The people of Hamburg announced this on Wednesday evening. Structural engineers had previously checked the roof membrane in the Volksparkstadion, which had been contaminated by condensation, for damage.
HSV continued to say that it is not yet possible to conclusively assess whether the game scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (in the NDR Livecenter) can take place.
Work on the roof of the Volksparkstadion continues
Work on the stadium roof in the promoted team’s arena started on Wednesday after an inspection by structural engineers and is scheduled to continue on Thursday. The “Rothosen” game against Leverkusen planned for Tuesday evening was postponed due to accumulated condensation and the resulting safety concerns.
HSV uses pumps
With supporting pumps, the HSV fought against the masses of water that were created by the thaw in Hamburg. “Condensation and other point loads have also developed in other parts of the roof,” stadium director Daniel Nolte explained in the morning. “Due to the snow still lying in many places, the water is unfortunately not draining away as desired.”
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.”
Tickets remain valid
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.
The tickets remain valid for the catch-up game that has not yet been scheduled. The HSV announced that those who have bought a day ticket but cannot attend the rescheduled match have “the option of canceling their tickets free of charge”. Unfortunately, the club cannot accept liability for “wasted expenses – such as travel, accommodation or other additional costs”.
Bayer Leverkusen will reimburse the costs of the 3,500 fans who traveled with them, the club announced on Wednesday. The club also asked “fans who cannot travel to the catch-up game to return their tickets in order to give other fans the chance to get tickets.”
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.
Video:
HSV game against Bayer Leverkusen canceled at short notice – fans angry (2 min)