Planning a football trip to Hamburg? Hamburger SV host VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on 17 October 2026 at Volksparkstadion. Both teams arrive after wins in their previous league matches. Check transport, stadium entry and match details, then plan your ticket purchase before travelling
Hamburger SV - VfB Stuttgart: a clash between teams looking to confirm their turnaround
Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart meet on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 15:30 local time at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Matchday 6 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga brings together two opponents who have just ended disappointing runs. HSV have recorded two consecutive victories, while Stuttgart ended their losing streak in their most recent away match. The winner would gain additional momentum for the remainder of the autumn campaign.
According to the provisional standings after Saturday's Matchday 5 fixtures, Stuttgart are tenth and Hamburger SV are eleventh. Both clubs have six points from five matches. Their goal differences separate them: Stuttgart have scored eight and conceded nine, while Hamburg have scored five and conceded fifteen. Sunday's fixtures could still change the standings, but both teams want to build on their recent successes. Tickets for this match are attracting interest from supporters of both clubs. No general public sale has been announced, with ticket sales reserved for members, so supporters need to secure their tickets before planning their visit.
Hamburger SV: two results that have changed the mood
Hamburger SV endured an extremely difficult start to the league campaign. Merlin Polzin's team lost 0-2 away to Borussia Dortmund, then suffered a heavy 0-5 home defeat against 1. FSV Mainz 05, followed by another 0-5 loss away to RB Leipzig. After three rounds, the hosts of this encounter had yet to score a goal. A 2-1 home victory over 1. FC Köln finally ended their scoring drought.
Confirmation came on October 10 in Sinsheim. HSV defeated TSG Hoffenheim 3-2 in a match that changed direction several times. Yussuf Poulsen opened the scoring in the 12th minute, an own goal by Sebastiaan Bornauw brought the home side level, and Bambasé Conté completed the turnaround to make it 2-1. Hamburg nevertheless fought back: Terem Moffi headed home in the 83rd minute, and Miro Muheim scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Hoffenheim had been playing with ten men since the 65th minute, and HSV's defensive weaknesses have not disappeared despite this victory.
The match highlighted the different profiles of Hamburg's attacking players. Poulsen started the game and opened the scoring, Moffi came off the bench and found the net, while Muheim became the late hero after entering the match early. Fábio Vieira links the lines, while Nicolas Capaldo and Albert Sambi Lokonga provide energy. Young Louis Lemke also featured against Hoffenheim shortly after his 17th birthday.
VfB Stuttgart: victory in Paderborn and a demanding schedule
Stuttgart began their season with a 1-5 defeat away to FC Bayern München, before beating 1. FC Köln 4-1, losing 1-2 away to TSG Hoffenheim and suffering a 0-1 home defeat against Borussia Dortmund. They therefore celebrated a 2-0 victory in Paderborn on October 10. Jeff Chabot scored with a header in the 25th minute, and Chris Führich added another goal in the 83rd. Paderborn created chances, but Stuttgart kept a clean sheet.
Young goalkeeper Dennis Seimen, whom Hoeneß considers his first choice, made his Bundesliga debut against SC Paderborn 07, the club where he had previously spent time on loan. In front of him were Chabot, Ramon Hendriks, Josha Vagnoman and Maximilian Mittelstädt, while Angelo Stiller and Atakan Karazor play important roles in midfield. Stuttgart have several attacking options: Deniz Undav can drop between the lines, Ermedin Demirović can attack space, and Jamie Leweling and Führich can increase the tempo on the wings.
Stuttgart have an additional commitment before travelling to Hamburg. A European away fixture against ŠK Slovan Bratislava is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14. The limited recovery time could affect the starting lineup and the intensity of their pressing in Hamburg.
Form in the first five league matches
- Hamburger SV: two wins, three defeats, six points and a goal difference of 5:15.
- VfB Stuttgart: two wins, three defeats, six points and a goal difference of 8:9.
- HSV's most recent match: TSG Hoffenheim - Hamburger SV 2:3, with Miro Muheim scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time.
- Stuttgart's most recent match: SC Paderborn 07 - VfB Stuttgart 0:2, with goals from Jeff Chabot and Chris Führich.
Head-to-head meetings: Hamburg remember their triumph, Stuttgart their revenge
The two matches from last season offer very different memories. At the Volksparkstadion on November 30, 2025, HSV defeated Stuttgart 2-1 in front of 57,000 spectators. Robert Glatzel gave the home side the lead, Deniz Undav equalised for the visitors, and Fábio Vieira scored in stoppage time following a counterattack. HSV played the closing stages with ten men.
In the return fixture on April 12, 2026, Stuttgart claimed a 4-0 home victory. The goalscorers were Angelo Stiller, Chris Führich, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Bilal El Khannouss. Stuttgart created opportunities both through the centre and down the flanks. Last season's encounters therefore present two different tactical scenarios. Another interesting detail is Josha Vagnoman, a Hamburg native and former member of HSV's youth academy who now plays for Stuttgart.
Where the match could be decided
Polzin started the match in Hoffenheim with three defenders and wide-positioned wing-backs. This formation, which can be described as a 3-4-2-1, allows Hamburg to launch counterattacks more quickly but requires precise defensive coverage of the space behind the wide players. Against Stuttgart, this is particularly sensitive because Führich and Leweling can attack exactly those areas, while Stiller has the ability to deliver well-timed vertical passes. HSV will have to protect the space behind their wing-backs.
On the other hand, simply maintaining possession for long periods will not be enough for the visitors. HSV demonstrated against Hoffenheim that they can be dangerous even when they do not control most of the match. Poulsen provides the option of a more direct attacking approach, Moffi has shown his value as a finisher inside the penalty area, and Vieira looks for space between the opposition's defensive and midfield lines. Stuttgart must pay attention to second balls, while HSV must limit Undav's play between the lines.
Set pieces could be important for both teams. Chabot scored against Paderborn following a delivery from Mittelstädt, while Muheim scored the winning goal against Hoffenheim after a corner. Set pieces and the opening minutes, when HSV may be able to impose their tempo, will therefore be particularly interesting.
Injuries and lineups: what is known before the match
On October 2, HSV confirmed that Patson Daka would be sidelined for several weeks with a left thigh injury. Albert Grønbæk is also dealing with a thigh injury sustained during the international break. Both missed the Hoffenheim match, making their return against Stuttgart uncertain. Zakaria El Ouahdi was absent from the squad on October 10 because of illness, although such an absence does not necessarily mean he will be unavailable for the next round. A final assessment will have to wait until the clubs provide further updates.
Stuttgart have a fresh concern regarding Maximilian Mittelstädt. The defender required stitches for a wound on his right heel after the match in Paderborn, and the club announced that he would be unavailable for the time being. Before the Paderborn match, Hoeneß reported that Dan-Axel Zagadou, Tiago Tomás and Nikolas Nartey were only participating in partial training, while Justin Diehl and Ameen Al-Dakhil had not yet returned to team training. Their status could change during the week. The starting lineups are therefore not yet known.
Volksparkstadion: a grand setting beside Altonaer Volkspark
Volksparkstadion is located at Uwe-Seeler-Allee 9, 22525 Hamburg, in the Bahrenfeld district in the western part of the city, next to the spacious Altonaer Volkspark. The stadium has a capacity of up to 57,000 spectators. The stadium complex includes a club museum and facilities for guided tours, but the arena is not located in the city centre.
The loudest support for the home team traditionally comes from the Nordtribüne, and supporters begin gathering long before the first whistle. To recall the previous encounter with Stuttgart, it is enough to look back at November 2025 and the celebrations following Vieira's late goal. Such moments demonstrate how a single move can bring entire stands to life. It is worth securing a ticket in good time and allowing sufficient time to reach the stadium, as the heaviest congestion occurs immediately before kickoff.
How to reach the stadium and when the gates open
The S-Bahn suburban railway is a practical option for reaching the stadium. Stellingen and Eidelstedt are served by lines S3 and S5, while Othmarschen is served by line S1. The stadium is approximately a 15-minute walk from Stellingen and Eidelstedt. On matchdays, organised shuttle buses also operate from Stellingen and Othmarschen stations to the stadium. The buses begin operating approximately 130 minutes before kickoff. Tickets for the home match include travel on the HVV transport network, although separate activation of the transport entitlement is required where applicable.
- Address: Volksparkstadion, Uwe-Seeler-Allee 9, Hamburg.
- Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, at 15:30 local time.
- Gate opening: normally two hours before kickoff, meaning approximately 13:30.
- Public transport: S-Bahn to Stellingen, Eidelstedt or Othmarschen; shuttle buses operate to the stadium from Stellingen and Othmarschen.
- Arriving by car: the public Rot and Grau car parks are accessible via Farnhornweg and Farnhornstieg; the Braun car park is closed.
Drivers should pay attention to matchday traffic instructions. Uwe-Seeler-Allee is closed to regular traffic, and HSV advises avoiding Schnackenburgallee when approaching the Rot and Grau car parks because of roadworks and restrictions. Parking spaces are limited, and leaving by car after the match may take some time. Park-and-ride options are also available. For the return journey towards the city centre, the club recommends Stellingen.
The gates normally open 120 minutes before kickoff, but the schedule and any security restrictions may be further specified for the particular fixture. Visitors should check the section indicated on their tickets, while bags and backpacks are limited to A4 size and the prescribed depth. Queues at the entrances become longer during the final hour, so passengers should allow time for transfers and security checks.
Hamburg before and after the football
Hamburg is a northern German port city on the River Elbe. Volksparkstadion stands beside Altonaer Volkspark, the city's largest public green space. Arriving early provides an opportunity to walk along the park paths, although access routes change as the number of supporters increases. Sightseeing in the city centre and riverside districts is best kept separate from the time needed to travel to the stadium.
Stuttgart arrive after a congested schedule, while HSV are seeking their third consecutive league victory in front of their own supporters. On the pitch, a home team that has recently found success in the closing stages faces visitors with a technically strong midfield. Anyone planning to attend the match should check ticket availability and the latest entrance instructions in advance and travel to the stadium early enough not to miss kickoff.
Sources:
- DFB Datencenter, fixture schedule and provisional standings for Matchdays 5 and 6: https://datencenter.dfb.de/de/competitions/bundesliga/seasons/2026-2027/matchday/5
- Bundesliga.com, TSG Hoffenheim - Hamburger SV match report and goalscorers: https://www.bundesliga.com/de/bundesliga/news/tsg-hoffenheim-hamburger-sv-spieltag-5-spielbericht-highlights-39485
- VfB Stuttgart, report on the victory away to SC Paderborn 07: https://www.vfb.de/de/vfb/profis/saison/bundesliga/2627/5-sc-paderborn-07----vfb-stuttgart-/
- VfB Stuttgart, Mittelstädt's injury and absences ahead of Paderborn: https://www.vfb.de/de/vfb/aktuell/neues/profis/2627/maximilian-mittelstaedt-zieht-sich-risswunde-zu/; https://www.vfb.de/de/vfb/aktuell/neues/profis/2627/pressekonferenz-vor-sc-paderborn-gegen-vfb-stuttgart/
- HSV, advance ticket sales information: https://www.hsv.de/tickets/ticketinfos-heimspiele/06-ticketinfos-vfb-stuttgart
- HSV, injuries to Daka and Grønbæk: https://www.hsv.de/news/verletzungsupdate-zu-patson-daka; https://www.hsv.de/news/albert-groenbaek-faellt-vorerst-aus
- HSV, stadium access rules, parking and gate opening times: https://www.hsv.de/tickets/einzelkarten/faq-stadionbesuch-heimspiele
- HSV and VfB Stuttgart, head-to-head meetings from last season: https://www.hsv.de/news/21-hsv-mit-last-minute-sieg-in-unterzahl-vs-stuttgart; https://www.vfb.de/de/vfb/profis/saison/bundesliga/2526/29-vfb-stuttgart----hamburger-sv-/
- VfB Stuttgart, club schedule for the fixture in Bratislava (vfb.de, "Erst gegen Stavanger, danach in Bratislava").
- HSV and hamburg.de, stadium capacity and location beside Altonaer Volkspark: https://www.hsv.de/en/stadium/volksparkstadion; https://www.hamburg.de/leben-in-hamburg/bezirke-hamburg/stadtteile-bezirk-altona/bahrenfeld-370432