Written by Kelly Were
Celebrations turned chaotic at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion on Saturday as a pitch invasion following the club’s promotion to the Bundesliga left 25 fans hospitalised, including one in life-threatening condition.
The incident occurred shortly after the final whistle of Hamburg’s emphatic 6-1 victory over Ulm, which sealed the club’s long-awaited return to the Bundesliga after seven years in the second division.
What began as a jubilant outpouring of emotion from thousands of supporters quickly spiraled into a medical emergency. According to the Hamburg Fire Department, a total of 44 individuals required medical attention in the aftermath — 19 with serious injuries, five minor, and one fan in critical condition.
“After the final whistle, football fans stormed the stadium, resulting in injuries to several fans,” the fire department confirmed in a public statement.
A large-scale emergency medical response was triggered, with around 65 personnel from the fire brigade and rescue services dispatched to the stadium to assist.
The full extent of the circumstances that led to the injuries remains under investigation. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of crowd surges, people being trampled, and difficulties in emergency access due to the volume of fans on the pitch.
Despite the tragedy, Hamburg’s sporting achievement stands as a significant milestone. The club, once a Bundesliga mainstay, returns to Germany’s top flight for the first time since relegation in the 2017–18 season.
With one game remaining in the season, Hamburg could yet be crowned champions of the 2. Bundesliga if they match or better Cologne’s result on the final day next Sunday.
Authorities are now reviewing safety procedures at the stadium, with questions raised about crowd control and the adequacy of emergency planning during high-stakes matches.
