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.
The Bundesliga finalised the match schedules for matchdays three through six on Wednesday (July 15th): Darmstadt's home game against Hannover 96 on matchday three will take place on Sunday. This will be followed by their away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday at 1pm. The home game against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday evening and the away game in Wolfsburg, also on Friday evening, have also been confirmed.
The Lilies can welcome another new arrival at the Böllenfalltor: Florian Kleinhansl will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 25-year-old joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with 1. FC Kaiserslautern on June 30th.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
SV Darmstadt 98 and the fusion energy company Focused Energy are entering into an official partnership. The aim of the collaboration is to more closely link top-level football and high technology from the Darmstadt region and to jointly generate momentum for innovation and future societal issues.
Killian Corredor will be playing in his home country again in the future. SV 98 has reached an agreement with FC Nantes on the transfer of the Frenchman.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
A home game against KSV! SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Holstein Kiel for the opening matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season this Saturday (August 8 at 1pm). Here’s how you can be there: the member pre-sale for the new season's first home game begins this coming Wednesday (July 15) at 12pm —available online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion, as usual. You can find all further details in this announcement.
For every home goal scored by the "Lilies," SV Darmstadt 98 fans were doubly rewarded during the recent 2025/26 second-division season. Beyond the joy and excitement, supporters received 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every goal Darmstadt scored at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
In recent days, various media outlets have published reports and graphics regarding the distribution of TV revenue for the 2026/27 season. Some of these reports included not only specific figures but also a comparison to the previous season. This comparison indicates a supposed revenue increase of €1.4 million for SV 98 compared to the 2025/26 season.
SV Darmstadt 98 successfully completed their second pre-season friendly, defeating Verbandsliga side VfR Fehlheim 8-0 (4-0).
