It was a pleasure, San Antonio!
The Lilien will be in San Antonio from September 25th to October 1st. In this USA diary, we will keep you updated on the trip and SV 98's experiences.
25.05.2026 / USA
„An exemplary collaboration“
Since 2017, San Antonio and Darmstadt have maintained a city partnership. Since 2024, SV 98 has been cooperating with Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the operating company of San Antonio FC and the San Antonio Spurs.
In the video, we look back on the recent delegation trip, which offers an impression of the values and goals this cooperation stands for — and of how important it is to build bridges, even in difficult times.
Lilien visit Focused Energy in Austin
During their stay in Texas, Volker Harr and Arnd Zinnhardt visited the Austin site of premium partner Focused Energy. At the US branch of the Darmstadt-based company, the two vice presidents gained insight into Focused Energy’s operations and its research into a technology that could make a significant contribution to the future energy supply in the long term.
Matchday!
The Lilien will be in San Antonio from September 25 to October 1. In this USA diary, we will keep you updated on the trip and SV 98's experiences.
An Evening Among Friends
On the eve of a very special friendly match, SV Darmstadt 98 brought together—once again, in San Antonio—all those people who have breathed life into the connection between Darmstadt and its Texan sister city over the past few years.
The Lilies as matchmakers between Darmstadt and San Antonio
SV Darmstadt 98’s partnership with San Antonio has long been forging connections that extend beyond football. This became evident once again on Monday (September 28).
Friendly Match to Highlight Trip: Lilien Head to San Antonio
As previously announced, SV Darmstadt 98 will use the combined international break in September and October for its planned club trip to San Antonio, Texas. The Lilien will visit Darmstadt’s sister city from September 25 through October 1 and will play a friendly match against partner club San Antonio FC on Tuesday, September 29. In addition to the sporting highlight, a variety of meetings and events await both the team and a delegation consisting of members of the club’s Executive Committee and management. As part of its premium partnership with SV 98, fusion energy company Focused Energy will serve as the main partner of the U.S. trip. In addition, the City of Darmstadt will conduct a business delegation trip to San Antonio from September 27 through October 1, 2026, led by Mayor Hanno Benz.
„A complete success“
In mid-June, SV 98, together with Craft Sportswear North America, supported three events in San Antonio. In this video, we look back at soccer camps, a special training session, and a panel discussion on sports diplomacy. All three events grew out of the existing partnership with Spurs Sports and Entertainment and the sister-city relationship between Darmstadt and San Antonio. Sport as a transatlantic bridge-builder. Football that unifies.
“A prime example of the bridges that sport can build.”
„Football that unifies.“ Through its partnership with San Antonio FC, Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and numerous other stakeholders in San Antonio, SV Darmstadt 98 is bringing together a wide range of initiatives and projects under this overarching slogan. In mid-June, Martin Kowalewski visited the Texas metropolis once again to participate in three events supported by SV Darmstadt 98 in partnership with Craft Sportswear North America. We take a look at these three events, which illustrate the unifying impact this unique partnership has already achieved.
Texas Lilies
After their eventful days in San Antonio, the Darmstadt delegation concludes their trip to Texas in Beaumont. And the scene that greets the team from southern Hesse initially seems like a crazy dream. Far from home and under the Texas sun, a club wears the Lily on its chest and the Darmstadt name on its back.
“A great and very intense time”
A delegation led by Darmstadt 98 president Markus Pfitzner is using the current international break in March for a trip to San Antonio to further strengthen the connection with cooperation partner San Antonio FC, gain deeper insights into the local economy, and immerse themselves in the culture and history of Darmstadt’s sister city. We will be covering their time in Texas on this page.
„I couldn’t be more grateful“
More than 8,600 kilometres as the crow flies separate San Antonio and Darmstadt. Landry Walker embarked on the long journey from Texas to southern Hesse on March 8th. The 16-year-old midfielder was trained at San Antonio FC, the partner club of SV Darmstadt 98, and has been immersed in the world of the Lilies (Darmstadt's nickname) over the past few days. We look back at the visit of the American U17 international.
