The second half of the season is about to begin, and Darmstadt 98 will be traveling a good 266 kilometres to their away match against VfL Bochum on Sunday (January 18th, 1:30pm). This report provides you with all the important information for your visit to the stadium.
Cars and buses:
Address: Stadionring 26, 44791 Bochum
From the A40, take the „Stadion“ exit and turn left immediately after the exit into the „Stadionring“ parking garage, which is reserved for away fans. Parking for cars costs €5. Payment is in cash at the entrance. Buses and nine-seater vans can park in the parking lot next to the parking garage. The fee for this is €10, payable in cash at the entrance.
Public transport:
From the main train station, take subway line 308/318 towards Gerthe/Schürbankstraße, stop at Planetarium. Alternatively, bus line 354 runs from the main train station towards Keplerweg, stop at Gersteinring.
Combi-Ticket:
On foot:
Wheelchair users:
Entry for away fans: This will take place from 2 hours before kickoff exclusively via the designated entrance. Please do not go through any other security checkpoints, as there is no access to the away section from there.
Blocks: Standing Block E1, Seating Block E2, Seating F: Access to the standing and seated areas is physically separated by two pre-checkpoints. Bag checks will also take place there. The stadium concourse between the standing and seated areas is also physically separated.
Tickets: Print@Home tickets must be printed.
Home section: VfL Bochum expressly points out that no away fans will be granted access to the home section, i.e., the South Stand (A-D), the East Stand (N2-Q), and blocks N1, M, and M1. Relocation is not possible under any circumstances.
Catering: Payment can be made by debit card, credit card, Apple Pay/Google Pay, and cash, among other methods.
Alcohol: Persons who are visibly heavily intoxicated and become conspicuous may be refused entry into the stadium area.
Fans with stadium bans: There is no designated area for fans with stadium bans to stay in the vicinity of the stadium, but they will be tolerated in the away team bus parking area. However, there are no restroom facilities there.
Bags and backpacks: Bags up to A4 size are permitted inside the stadium. There is no designated bag drop for bags larger than A4. Therefore, fans arriving by train may find it advisable to rent a locker at the main train station.
Fan paraphernalia:
The following are permitted in Bochum:
The following are not permitted:
VfL Bochum assumes that all fence flags, flags and banners larger than DIN A3 are flame-retardant and reserves the right to conduct corresponding checks on match day.
Topic: Fence banners:
General Information: A glass ban is in effect at the stadium and surrounding area during VfL Bochum 1848 matches. Furthermore, please note that wearing clothing from the brand „Thor Steinar“ is not permitted in the Ruhrstadion. The same applies to all other fashion labels with racist, xenophobic, extremist, and/or discriminatory content, even if this is not a criminal offense.
Exit: Please pay attention to any announcements on the stadium screen, the stadium announcer, and follow the instructions of the security personnel.
Information about the contact point “Eighteen ATTENTION! Forty”:
Initial contact with the support point: During match days, specially trained volunteers can be reached by phone at +49 151 41445236 and via common messaging services two hours before and one hour after the final whistle. In general, all individuals from the volunteer group, security, kiosk staff, fan liaison officers, fan project, medical services, and VfL Wolfsburg employees are also available to speak with.
Focus on those affected: The support point focuses primarily on the individual affected and their needs – not on potential perpetrators. It is not designed to investigate or monitor and is therefore not suitable for tracking individuals or following up on leads. Should a crime or a violation of the stadium rules be reported, the security service or the police will be contacted – at the request of the individual affected. They will then be responsible for assessing the situation and initiating any necessary measures.
Collection drive on match day: Members of the Bochum Fan Initiative will be collecting cups for the Johanniter Bochum’s „Cold Angel“ charity during our match on Sunday. Darmstadt fans in the away section will also be participating. The „Cold Angel“ operates a stand at Bochum Central Station during the cold and dark months from November to February. For 15 years now, they have been providing volunteer support to the homeless there, offering hot soup and warm clothing. So: pop in your cup – be a donor!
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).
