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!
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.