About To Volksparkstadion & Barclays Arena
The Volkspark in Bahrenfeld is a large wooded park on Hamburg's western edge. Next to it stand the Volksparkstadion, home of Hamburger SV, and the indoor arena that will be called Sparda-Bank Arena from 21 July 2027, with the Trabrennbahn Bahrenfeld a little further south.
Three venues around the Volkspark
- Volksparkstadion – Sylvesterallee. Home ground of Hamburger SV, venue for international matches and stadium concerts.
- Barclays Arena – Sylvesterallee, next to the stadium. The indoor arena for concerts, handball, ice shows and family events. From 21 July 2027 it will be called Sparda-Bank Arena.
- Trabrennbahn Bahrenfeld – Luruper Chaussee. A harness racing track that doubles as Hamburg's largest open-air concert field in summer.
All three lie on the western edge of the city between the A7, Luruper Chaussee and the park itself. Parking lots are spread across the area and marked by colour, which matters when you meet your driver after the event.
From the terminals to Bahrenfeld
Your driver usually heads west through Niendorf or along Ring 3 to the A7 and leaves at the Volkspark or Bahrenfeld exits. Without events the ride takes 20 to 30 minutes. Work on the noise protection covers over the A7 between Stellingen and Othmarschen has brought lane closures for years, so allow a buffer even on ordinary weekdays. If the motorway is blocked, the alternative runs through Eidelstedt and over Holsteiner Chaussee.
When it gets tight on event days
Around two hours before kick-off or doors, traffic from the A7 and Luruper Chaussee merges into the same few access roads. Sylvesterallee and the approaches to the parking lots are often restricted to shuttle buses and permit holders. Your driver will choose a drop-off point at the edge of the closure, from where you walk ten minutes or so.
- Plan to land at least three hours before the start if you go straight from the airport.
- Stadium and arena only admit small bags, so drop your luggage at the hotel on the way.
- If you are joining a group, book a minivan or minibus and agree on one meeting point.
Barclays Arena becomes Sparda-Bank Arena
The building and its address on Sylvesterallee stay the same, only the name changes on 21 July 2027. Tickets bought earlier may still show Barclays Arena, later ones Sparda-Bank Arena. Both lead to the same entrance, so enter whichever name your ticket shows. Older navigation systems and signs may keep the former names for a while; your driver knows the venue by all of them.
Holiday on Ice and winter weekends in the Arena
Holiday on Ice brings its touring show to the arena in winter, in recent seasons around February, with several performances over a weekend. Many visitors come as families, often in the afternoon. Book child seats with the transfer, and keep in mind that it is dark early and the walk from the drop-off point to the entrance can be cold.
Open-air season at the Trabrennbahn
Big summer concerts at the Trabrennbahn draw tens of thousands of people at once. The entrance is on Luruper Chaussee, which is partly closed on show days, and buses take priority. Arrive before the gates open and expect the drop-off to be at a side street in Bahrenfeld. For the ride back to the airport the next day, book a transfer from your hotel in advance.
Looking for other stadiums and arenas? See sports events in Hamburg or concert clubs. Many visitors stay in nearby Altona.
