Overview
- HEBC and Hamburger SV confirmed in a joint Instagram post that the Oberliga club will stage its DFB‑Pokal first‑round match against Borussia Dortmund at the Volksparkstadion.
- The switch was required because HEBC's regular ground, Professor‑Reinmüller‑Platz, holds about 2,500 spectators and does not meet the German Football Association's safety requirements for the fixture.
- The match will not take place in the usual late‑August window and is set for September 1 or 2 due to Borussia Dortmund's August Supercup commitment.
- HSV said ticket information will be released soon and hosting at the Volksparkstadion raises questions about capacity, security and stadium rental arrangements for the smaller club.
- A recent precedent shows the venue can draw large crowds and revenue—a 2024 Dortmund cup game at the Volksparkstadion attracted about 51,000 fans—making this a rare sporting and community moment for HEBC and its supporters.