Celebrations at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion quickly turned into a scene of chaos on Saturday, as a pitch invasion left 25 fans hospitalized—one with life-threatening injuries—following the club’s emphatic 6-1 victory over Ulm.

The win secured Hamburg’s return to the Bundesliga for the first time since their 2017–18 relegation, prompting thousands of supporters to flood the field at the final whistle. However, what began as jubilant celebrations spiraled into disorder, resulting in numerous injuries.

According to the Hamburg Fire Department, a total of 44 people required medical attention. Of those, 19 suffered serious injuries, five had minor wounds, and one individual remains in critical condition.

“After the final whistle, football fans stormed the stadium, resulting in injuries to several fans,” the fire department said in an official statement. In response, a large-scale emergency medical operation was launched, involving approximately 65 personnel from both the fire brigade and rescue services.

While Hamburg fans celebrated their team’s long-awaited return to Germany’s top flight, the scenes of injury and emergency response cast a shadow over the day.

Hamburg could still clinch the second-division title next weekend if they match or better Cologne’s result on the final day of the season.