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.
Lilies go USA
SV Darmstadt 98 is launching its international marketing activities with a targeted entry into the U.S. market. At the heart of this strategy lies a partnership with USL Championship club San Antonio FC and Spurs Sports & Entertainment, providing the club with an opportunity to establish itself in one of the fastest-growing football markets in the world.
SV Darmstadt 98 and San Antonio FC, from Darmstadt’s U.S. sister city of San Antonio, signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement on July 23, 2024. The agreement was warmly endorsed by Darmstadt’s mayor, Hanno Benz, and San Antonio’s mayor, Ron Nirenberg, marking another step toward deepening the sister city relationship established in 2017. The collaboration aims to promote youth development, foster intercultural exchange, and facilitate cooperation in sports science, sports medicine, marketing, and innovation.
In addition to the partnership with San Antonio FC announced in July 2024, the Lilies are also collaborating with SVD Beaumont Texas, a football club in southeastern Texas founded by Lilies fans with the support of SV Darmstadt 98 as part of their internationalization strategy. This initiative, initiated by a native of Darmstadt, places a strong emphasis on the social aspects of football. Both clubs view football as a powerful tool for social integration and share the common goal of providing underprivileged youth with access to the sport.
The cooperation between SV Darmstadt 98, San Antonio FC, and SVD Beaumont Texas exemplifies how German clubs can promote values, build networks, and expand their reach on a global scale. Such initiatives contribute to increasing the international visibility of the Bundesliga while paving the way for the Bundesliga to tap into new markets in the long term.
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.
„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.
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.
SV Darmstadt 98 and San Antonio FC
A Transatlantic Partnership
The partnership with San Antonio FC, one of the leading clubs in the second division of U.S. football, offers SV Darmstadt 98 an excellent platform to strengthen its position in the U.S. The goal of the collaboration is to learn from each other both athletically and culturally and to develop joint projects that promote exchange between the two clubs.
This includes training camps, talent development programs, and an exchange of knowledge in areas such as club management and sports marketing. Additionally, SV Darmstadt 98 will expand its digital platforms to provide U.S. fans with up-to-date content and information about the club. From exclusive merchandise offers to personalised fan experiences and live streaming options for games, SV Darmstadt 98 aims to engage more deeply with its U.S. fanbase and strengthen relationships with American supporters.
Our goals
- Youth Development & Social Projects
- Knowledge Exchange & Know-How Transfer
- International Friendly Matches
Partnership with SVD Beaumont Texas
The collaboration between SV Darmstadt 98 and SVD Beaumont pursues not only athletic goals but also places a special focus on the social aspect of football. The Lilies aim to support young football players and create a platform for social inclusion.
Our Goals
- Youth camps, talent development programs, and educational opportunities
- Platform where young people can develop their athletic and personal potential
- Improve their social and professional opportunities
