Beach volleyball continues to thrive in Hamburg, attracting attention and spectators alike.
Hamburg, Germany, is once again the centre of the beach volleyball world, as three German teams have reached the quarterfinals of the Elite-16 tournament. The men's team of Ehlers/Wickler, the women's pair Müller/Tillmann, and Dr. Sandra Ittlinger/Anna-Lena Grüne are all vying for a spot in the finals, scheduled for Sunday at 6 PM (men) and 7 PM (women) at the Tennis Stadium at Rothenbaum.
The Beach Volleyball World Series for the FIVB is being held in Hamburg, drawing international fans who praise the unique atmosphere at Rothenbaum. The city of Hamburg is supporting the tournament with 500,000 euros this year, with the funding covering almost the entire cost of the prize money and hotel expenses.
The city's commitment to beach volleyball has left a significant impact on grassroots sports, with 30 courts now available for digging, blocking, and spiking. In 2019, the World Championships at Rothenbaum attracted a large number of spectators, and teams and coaches still flock to Hamburg for the tournament due to the top-notch organization, electric atmosphere, and high spectator count.
In fact, Hamburg's success in beach volleyball is evident in its training facilities. Six of the eight German national teams, including the Olympic silver medalists and European Championship bronze medalists, train in Hamburg. The city is also the lead and diagnostic support centre for the German Volleyball Association.
However, Hamburg did not secure the 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships, which will be held in the Netherlands across four cities. Frank Ehrich, the local organizer of the event at the Hallerstraße, is puzzled by the decision, as Hamburg offers a unique setting for the sport. Ehrich has been searching for alternative venues for years, with the Town Hall Square and Heiligengeistfeld being considered unsuitable.
One potential venue is the Magellan Terraces in the HafenCity, with courts in the harbor basin, but they come with high costs. The international federation prefers iconic city centre locations for the World Championships, and the Rothenbaum tennis stadium was not their first choice.
Despite this setback, Hamburg's beach volleyball scene continues to thrive. In a recent development, Lukas Paffrath was hired as the first full-time athletic trainer in Hamburg on February 1st. The HSV duo Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst, who won the tournament in 2016 and later won Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro, are just one example of the talent that Hamburg nurtures.
As the Elite-16 tournament continues, Hamburg's beach volleyball community remains hopeful for the future, looking forward to another exciting season of sand, spikes, and spectators.
