Traffic chaos in Hamburg: Triathlon brings the city center to a standstill!

Traffic chaos in Hamburg: Triathlon brings the city center to a standstill!

A major sporting event is just around the corner: the 23rd “Suzuki World Triathlon” in Hamburg will attract numerous athletes and spectators to the city from July 11th to 14th, 2025. The event, which attracts both professionals and amateur athletes, will have a major impact on traffic around the Inner Alster and the city center.

During the days of the event, Hamburg residents and visitors can expect significant traffic disruptions. There are road closures, particularly in the areas west of the Outer Alster and in the city center, extending as far as St. Pauli and Altona-Altstadt. The police therefore recommend that you drive around widely, especially if you want to avoid the closed zones. All current traffic information is provided via radio stations in order to inform those arriving in good time. For detailed travel options, the interactive map on the organizer website can be consulted.

Competition routes and closing times

Competitions begin on Saturday, July 12th and end the following Sunday, July 13th. The following blocking times must be observed:

• Innenstadtkurs:
  • Samstag, 12. Juli 2025: 15:30 bis 20:00 Uhr
  • Sonntag, 13. Juli 2025: 13:00 bis 17:00 Uhr
• Radstrecken:
  • Samstag, 12. Juli 2025: 08:00 bis 15:30 Uhr
  • Sonntag, 13. Juli 2025: 05:30 bis 13:00 Uhr
• Laufstrecken:
  • Samstag, 12. Juli 2025: 09:00 bis 15:30 Uhr
  • Sonntag, 13. Juli 2025: 06:30 bis 14:00 Uhr

In addition, Ballindamm will be closed in both directions from July 11th, 10:00 a.m. to July 14th, 6:00 a.m., while access to popular locations such as the Europapassage, the Landungsbrücken and the Speicherstadt will be more difficult during the Open Races. Residents are asked to adhere to the prescribed diversion routes.

Recommendations for a smooth process

To ease the traffic situation, we recommend traveling by public transport. The police point out that greater attention should be paid to the main closures in the evening hours, while access to hotels such as the Hotel Vier Seasons is still possible. Anyone who relies on the bus or train should also regularly find out about the current connections.

As part of the preparations for the triathlon, the city of Hamburg is using innovative approaches to optimize traffic routing. The “CroMa-PRO” project of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is investigating how interactions between traffic and visitor flows at major events can be better managed. This initiative could also be important for large events in Hamburg in the future in order to minimize traffic congestion and maximize travel stress.{” “} dlr.de summarizes the goals of such simulations, which contribute to the analysis and optimal control of traffic and pedestrians.

As the sporting event is getting closer and closer, it is important to plan in good time and keep an eye on the information and blackout times mentioned above. If you act in good time, you can ensure that attending the triathlon is an unforgettable experience.