Before SV Darmstadt 98 officially kicks off the 2026/27 second division season, a very special day awaits all Lilies fans at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. As a final dress rehearsal before the start of the competitive season, the Lilies will host the traditional English club Portsmouth FC on Saturday (August 1st) at 2pm. But there will be plenty to see and do beyond the pitch: Around the friendly match, the Lilies will celebrate the official opening of the 2026/27 season together with their supporters.
The stadium gates open at noon, inviting everyone to linger around the Böllenfalltor. Numerous partners, club departments, and fans will be present with stands, interactive activities, and various offerings for all ages. The aim is to kick off the new season together with fun and good cheer, building anticipation for the start of the season. Our kit supplier, Craft, will once again be holding its popular SALE, offering attractive deals for all Darmstadt fans. Furthermore, the new away kit will be unveiled for the first time on this festive day, both in the fan shop and later on the pitch. It will premiere on this day and will only be available at the Böllenfalltor!
The „Trinkhalle am Bölle“ (a refreshment stand) in the north wing of the main stand will also be making its debut. There, you can enjoy cool drinks and DJ music while getting in the mood for the match. Keep your eyes peeled, there are more surprises to come.
Inside the stadium, Alberto Colucci will perform our song „Die Sonne scheint“ (The Sun Shines) for all the fans, creating another high-energy moment as part of the season opening celebrations.
Another highlight follows after the final whistle: After showering, the team will spread out to various stations around the Merck Stadium for the traditional autograph session, once the stadium gates open. They will be available for photos, autographs, and personal encounters with the fans. If you want to find all the stations and win something along the way, keep an eye out for the season opening stamp booklet. After the final whistle, the stadium gates will open for everyone. So, if you can’t make it to the friendly against Portsmouth FC, you can still join the season opening festivities for free afterward.
| Standing room opposite stand | |
| Members | 7 Euro |
| Full Price | 10 Euro |
| Reduced | 8 Euro |
| Child | 5 Euro |
| Main grandstand seating | |
| Member | 18 Euro |
| Full Price | 21 Euro |
| Reduced | 19 Euro |
| Child | 9 Euro |
| Seat opposite stand | |
| Member | 18 Euro |
| Full Price | 21 Euro |
| Reduced | 19 Euro |
| Child | 9 Euro |
| Seat (padded) in the main grandstand | |
| Member | 27 Euro |
| Full Price | 30 Euro |
| Reduced | 29 Euro |
| Child | 15 Euro |
| 98er Box for fans | 149 Euro per Person |
| Hans-Kessler-Kurve | 85 Euro per Person |
The „98ers Box for Fans“ once again offers a special matchday experience this year. In an exclusive atmosphere, visitors can enjoy a lavish buffet in the box foyer, drinks at the club bar near the halfway line, and comfortable seats on the box level. Parking directly at the stadium is also included (for bookings of two or more box tickets), as well as the opportunity to meet club representatives. Another highlight: Before the traditional autograph session, the team will also visit the box and enjoy a post-match meal together. Furthermore, fans and fan groups will again have the opportunity to reserve their seats in the Hans-Kessler Curve. (tickets@sv98.de).
The international match against Portsmouth FC is not only the final rehearsal before the start of the season, but also a whole day spent with the Lilies. SV Darmstadt 98 is looking forward to opening the new season together with its fans at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
The Herzenslilien (Heart Lilies) were awarded the Play Fair Prize of the German Olympic Society (DOG) Darmstadt on July 2, 2026, at the Darmstadt Stadium. The prize honours exemplary gestures in youth and grassroots sports, as well as projects that embody social commitment in a special way.
The Bundesliga finalised the exact times for the first two matchdays on Tuesday (July 7th). Darmstadt's home game against Holstein Kiel on Matchday 1 will take place on Saturday (August 8th) at 1pm. This will be followed by their away game against SG Dynamo Dresden on Sunday (August 16th) at 1:30pm.
Join the Lilies on their journey through the stadiums of Germany! All Lilies fans (and fan groups) can now apply for an away season ticket (AWDK). With the AWDK, you are guaranteed a standing ticket for every Lilies away match, which will be reserved for you – that includes all league matches, DFB Cup games, and any potential relegation play-off matches of the 2026/27 season.
SV Darmstadt 98 decisively won their first pre-season friendly, defeating the district league side SG Arheilgen 12-0 (4-0).
Paul Will will no longer play for SV 98. The midfielder is moving to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, the club where the 27-year-old already played on loan during the second half of the previous season. Both clubs have agreed on a permanent transfer.
Throughout its eventful history, SV Darmstadt 98 has gone through many different eras. Yet, the Lily has been a constant companion throughout. It is the symbol that has united the club for generations. The home jersey for the 2026/27 season is therefore a tribute to the Lily—a mark of tradition, yet also an emblem of the current era.
A special honour for Anne Baumann. During the official opening of the Heinerfest on Thursday (July 2nd), the Darmstadt native was honored as a "committed Heinerin."
Southern Hesse’s largest choir! On December 22, 2026, the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor will once again be filled with Christmas spirit as the great Darmstadt Christmas Sing-Along—presented by Merck—takes place for the third time. Advance ticket sales begin on Friday (July 3 at 12:00pm), both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion. We have summarised all further details for you in this announcement.
The 76th Darmstadt Heinerfest is just around the corner, and naturally, the Lilies will be part of the action—we’ll be covering it. Meanwhile, on Saturday (July 4th), SV Darmstadt 98 will play their first friendly of this summer’s pre-season against SG Arheilgen, featuring debuts for new signings and the unveiling of the new kit. In "Lilies Across the Board," we bring you all the latest news and updates from within the club.
The Bundesliga e.V. released the fixture list for the upcoming 2026/27 2. Bundesliga season on Thursday midday (July 2nd). The Lilies will kick off the new season with a home match against Holstein Kiel at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor (August 8th or 9th). SV Darmstadt 98’s first away trip follows a week later on Matchday 2, taking them to Dynamo Dresden.
Creativity and a goal-scoring threat for SV 98's attacking midfield: The Lilies have signed Lance Duijvestijn. The 27-year-old Dutchman is moving from Sparta Rotterdam to southern Hesse.
On Sunday afternoon (June 28th), head coach Florian Kohfeldt gathered his squad for the first training session of the pre-season in 35-degree heat. The opening session is always a special occasion, but this year it had a unique twist: the "Lilies" did not train in their usual surroundings at the Böllenfalltor, but rather at the SV Winterkasten grounds in the Odenwald region—watched by more than 400 spectators who attended the roughly 90-minute session.
