A fan evening that had been planned for a long time, but which suddenly became more explosive due to the events of the past weekend. It then demonstrated what power SV 98 can develop when, despite different positions, people talk to each other instead of about each other. This is how Thursday evening could be summed up in the main stand, where the third fan evening of the year was held in the ENTEGA VIP lounge on the theme of “stadium experience”.
The evening was actually intended to work in various working groups to develop solutions and approaches for an even better match day experience. However, due to the events after the home game against FC Augsburg, the process was adjusted during the week. With the help of fan representatives from the south stand, the A block and the back straight, the club worked through Saturday afternoon piece by piece. An apology was made on behalf of the south stand because individuals from this area had sought the way to the back straight to engage in a physical altercation. The club clearly condemns any kind of violence among lily fans.
It was the start of an honest, critical, but also extremely constructive discourse about the match day and the Lilies‘ home games in general. Misunderstandings surrounding the speech at the end of the game were cleared up. In particular, the gestures, which were not in line with the actual motivating content of the message, were explained again. In addition, errors were admitted in the lack of communication of the planned sequence of events towards the back straight after the end of the game. On the other hand, an apology was made on behalf of the verbal abuse during the speech. Everyone involved agreed that violence among lily fans was an absolute no-go.
Afterwards, those present discussed numerous other things relating to the stadium experience. For example, the effects of the stadium renovation on the matchday atmosphere or the loudspeaker box installed in front of the back straight. It became clear during the exchange that all sides need to have greater mutual understanding that every stadium visitor has different goals and expectations of a stadium experience. Despite sometimes different positions on the topic, this Thursday demonstrated that the direct exchange between the fan groups helps them to pull together even more closely in the future.
The topics originally planned for the evening were of course still discussed. This part was divided into three sub-points: ticketing, security and catering. While Robin Bechold, head of ticketing at SV 98, explained the type of advance sales procedure for home and away games as well as the composition of the pricing structure for ticket prices at the Bölle, fan representative Erik Eichhorn gave information about the issue of away fans and away colors in the home area. Various aspects were highlighted that show how difficult and detailed such problems are and that solutions such as general bans on guest colors in the entire home area (currently only applies to the south stand and Gengenstraight) would not fully solve the problem. Many of the approximately 150 participants in the event were also unaware of the fact that SV 98 was forced to give around 100 main stand tickets to the visiting club due to regulations. Everyone involved unanimously criticised the fact that overall too many tickets intended for lily fans were being passed on or even sold by club members to fans of opposing clubs.
Managing director Michael Weilguny also explained the application process when looking for a stadium caterer and gave insights into the catering organisation. Various improvements have been made in recent months. There are now significantly more stands and staff – around 50 percent more compared to the situation before the stadium renovation. The choice of food has been expanded and above all, a lot of emphasis has been placed on quality management in the last few months and, for example, a continuous evaluation process on the subject of waiting times has been set up. It was also emphasised that we continue to work on improvements and that fans‘ feedback should be asked again and again.
The fan evening lasted around three and a half hours. This illustrates how great the need is for discussion and improved communication at all levels. In their closing statements, Weilguny and Vice President Markus Pfitzner emphasised that this evening should only be seen as the start of a series of further rounds of discussions with the different target groups around the club. Because one thing became particularly clear that evening: SV 98 thrives on its colorful culture of participation, in which every voice and comment is heard. The lilies are a lively association, but this diversity should not be taken for granted. This asset needs to be looked after. From the club, from the members, from the individual stands. From every person who has the lily in their heart.
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.