Hamburg was founded in 1919 out of a fusion of 3 different football clubs from Hamburg. Because of the fusion the Hamburg SV have 4 official club colours which all are in the current home kit of the club. Hamburg SV is playing in the Bundesliga since the national league officialy started. Hamburg SV never played in another league than the Bundesliga. The best results of Hamburg SV were in the eighties where the club won the national league 2 times and the Europa Cup 1 once.

Since 1963 Hamburg is playing their home games in the Volksparstadium. In 1998 Hamburg SV changed to a new venue where the capacity 57 000 is. This is the venue where Hamburg SV is playing right now and is called the Imtech Arena. Because of international legislation the capacity in European games is 51500.

Known former players that played for Hamburg SV are: Van der Vaart, Beckenbauer, Ze Roberto, Guerrero and Felix Magath.