European Football Returns to Schalke and Hamburg

For fans of Bundesliga 2 clubs Schalke 04 and Hamburg SV, European football will once again grace their home stadiums this season – but under extraordinary circumstances.

Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, both Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv have opted to play their UEFA competition home matches in Germany. This marks a rare instance where clubs from the second tier of German football will play host to some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Shakhtar Donetsk will call Schalke’s Veltins-Arena home for their UEFA Champions League campaign, while Dynamo Kyiv will host their Europa League matches at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion. Both clubs face immense challenges on and off the pitch, and the decision to move their European fixtures to Germany underscores the continued impact of the conflict in Ukraine.

Last season, Shakhtar played their Champions League home games at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion, where they famously secured victories against FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp. This year, they will switch to Schalke, with Gelsenkirchen set to welcome European powerhouses such as Bayern Munich, Atalanta, and Young Boys in the new league-phase format.

Schalke’s CEO, Matthias Tillmann, expressed pride in being able to support Shakhtar during these difficult times. “We are very pleased about the cooperation and are proud that we can support Shakhtar Donetsk and make our stadium available as a venue for the matches in the Champions League,” he said. Beyond the humanitarian aspect, Tillmann also highlighted the financial benefits of hosting these games: “In addition, the tenancy also offers added value for our club at an economic level. Overall, this is a win-win situation for both clubs – we are very much looking forward to the matches and the collaboration.”

Shakhtar’s general director, Serhii Palkin, echoed Tillmann’s sentiments, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to continue playing in a top-tier European stadium. “We are delighted to be able to play our UEFA Champions League matches in one of the best stadiums in Germany. Last season’s positive experience shows that Shakhtar has strong support from the fans in this country, both from the locals and the Ukrainian refugees. This factor is very important for our club.”

For Hamburg, the return of European football to the Volksparkstadion is a continuation of their support for Ukraine. Dynamo Kyiv will play their UEFA Europa League group-stage matches in the northern German city, with opponents including Lazio,

Hamburg’s board member, Dr. Eric Huwer, reinforced the city’s commitment to supporting Ukraine during these challenging times. “We received a lot of encouragement for our support for Ukraine and are pleased to be able to continue showing our solidarity by hosting another club affected by the war,” he said.

Both Schalke and Hamburg’s stadiums have a rich history of hosting major events. The Veltins-Arena, with a capacity of 54,740 for international matches, and the Volksparkstadion, which holds 51,500 for European competition, were both key venues during Euro 2024. These grounds will again play a role in European football, though under circumstances far removed from the usual UEFA festivities.

This development also reflects partially on the European history of both Schalke and Hamburg. Schalke, seven-time German champions, have had their share of European success, most notably winning the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) in 1997. Hamburg’s European pedigree is even more illustrious. As the only German club to have never been relegated from the Bundesliga until 2018, HSV won the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) in 1983 and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977.

However, recent years have been far from kind to both clubs. Schalke’s relegation to Bundesliga 2 at the end of the 2020/21 season was followed by a brief return to the top flight, only to be relegated again after the 2022/23 campaign. In the 2024/25 season, Schalke are looking to stabilise in the second tier, though their performances have been inconsistent. While they have shown glimpses of the quality that could see them push for promotion, they remain a work in progress.

Hamburg’s fall from grace has been even more prolonged. After decades in the Bundesliga, HSV were relegated in 2018 and have since been trying to claw their way back to the top flight. Like Schalke, Hamburg have had a mixed start to the 2024/25 season. While they remain one of the favourites to achieve promotion, their form has fluctuated, leaving fans eager for more consistent performances as they chase a long-awaited return to the Bundesliga.

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For both clubs, hosting European football in their stadiums offers a sense of nostalgia for the days when they regularly competed on the continental stage. While Schalke and Hamburg may be far from their former European glories, the opportunity to welcome teams like Bayern Munich, Lazio, and Atalanta to their grounds serves as a reminder of their proud histories and the potential for future success.

As both clubs navigate their respective Bundesliga 2 campaigns, the presence of European nights at the Veltins-Arena and Volksparkstadion will provide a boost – both financially and emotionally – as they aim to return to the top tier of German football.