VfL Bochum managed to play in the top flight for four consecutive years. However, last season saw a painful relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. Now the Westphalians are looking to get back on the attack in the new season. On Saturday (August 3rd, 1pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will host VfL Bochum at home in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. We've compiled the most important facts and figures for you ahead of the 17th meeting between the two teams, before the first game of the season.
The Lilies can look back on a pleasing home record against VfL Bochum. In a total of eight home matches against the Westphalians, they have won four, drawn two, and lost only twice. In the 2. Bundesliga, SV 98 suffered only one home defeat against VfL – on September 10, 2017.
The most recent Bundesliga encounter, from the 2023/24 season, will also likely remain a positive memory for Lilies fans: Despite falling behind 2-0 away in Bochum, the Lilies showed great morale and secured a point with a 2-2 draw.
VfL Bochum is one of the top favourites for promotion in this second division season, as Florian Kohfeldt also noted at the press conference before the match. This claim is also historically substantiated: Bochum has made the jump from the 2. Bundesliga to the Bundesliga a total of seven times in its club history. Only 1. FC Nürnberg and Arminia Bielefeld have surpassed this record with eight promotions each.
VfL Bochum’s efficiency in achieving direct promotion is particularly remarkable. The Westphalians have returned to the top flight five times immediately after relegation – more than any other team in German professional football.
Both clubs announced significant new signings this summer with real pedigree – both athletically and literally of considerable stature.
Central defender Patric Pfeiffer celebrated his return to SV Darmstadt 98. The 1.96-meter-tall defender returned to the South Hesse club after a two-year absence and brings valuable experience as well as his physical presence.
VfL Bochum also strengthened its defense: Kevin Vogt, 1.94 meters tall and once trained at VfL, is back in the jersey of his boyhood club after many years in professional football.
A look at the previous duels between Darmstadt and Bochum suggests a close match: Only four of the 16 previous encounters have ended with a difference of more than one goal. Not a single game has been decided by a difference of more than two goals. A quick side note: Whenever there was a two-goal difference, Darmstadt always emerged victorious…
Only one player in this matchup knows the feeling of having played for both teams: Gerrit Holtmann. He wore the Lilies‘ jersey in the second half of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season while on loan from VfL Bochum. During this period, the winger made a total of ten appearances for SV Darmstadt 98.
| Games | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
| Home | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12:6 |
| Away | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9:12 |
| Overall | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 21:18 |
Attention Lilien fans: During SV Darmstadt 98’s training camp in Bad Wörishofen (Allgäu region)—taking place from July 19th to July 26th, 2026—there will once again be an opportunity to meet the team, chat with the players, and, of course, get autographs and photos. The fan meet-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, following the friendly match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Kick-off for the match is at 12pm.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Friendly matches, fundraising campaigns, and plenty of photos—that’s what the week looked like for SV 98 and the club’s community. Between their 5–1 victory over FC Homburg and the upcoming friendly in Walldorf this Friday (July 17), the „Lilies“ showed their best side for the cameras. In addition, the SV 98 legends team will face an Odenwald select squad on Sunday (July 19th). You can also win great prizes in competitions taking place in Erbach and at the pop-up store in downtown Darmstadt. Lilies Across the Board brings you all the latest news from life at SV 98.
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.