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.
15.09.2026 / USA
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.
Markus Pfitzner, President of SV 98: “We are very excited that the two teams will now meet in a friendly that truly lives up to its name, marking another milestone in this special partnership. As part of the delegation that traveled to San Antonio in March of this year, I could sense in every encounter just how close the relationships have become over the two years since the partnership began. Sports initially served as the connecting element and catalyst, but the partnership has since expanded well beyond that to include economic cooperation and social engagement. It is great to see that the City of Darmstadt, together with Mayor Hanno Benz, is also using our match as an opportunity to organize a business delegation trip to its sister city of San Antonio.”
Martin Kowalewski, Managing Director of SV 98: “Since the official cooperation agreement with Spurs Sports & Entertainment in July 2024, an exemplary international partnership has developed, involving numerous organizations, companies, and individuals who are deeply committed to it. It is impressive to see the projects we have already been able to carry out and the goals we have already achieved. That makes it all the more special that the vision of playing a friendly match in San Antonio is now becoming a reality. Naturally, the match will be the highlight of the trip, but I am equally excited about the extensive weeklong program, which, in addition to the sporting component, will provide valuable insights into the local economy and culture. It is a privilege to represent SV Darmstadt 98 in the United States, a key international market for the Bundesliga, as part of a partnership that has grown steadily and is actively embraced by everyone involved.”
Sports initially served as the connecting element and catalyst, but the partnership has since expanded well beyond that to include economic cooperation and social engagement.
Extensive Program
The match against San Antonio FC is scheduled for September 29 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Lilien will also hold training sessions at San Antonio FC’s facilities.
The program for the club’s stay in the Texas metropolis includes official receptions hosted by SV 98 and the City of San Antonio, extensive insights into the local economy and business community, as well as a number of cultural activities. Several meetings with San Antonio FC and Spurs Sports & Entertainment have also been arranged to facilitate knowledge sharing across a variety of areas.
The agenda also includes a meeting with representatives of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), along with attendance at a sporting event. In addition, SV 98 and San Antonio FC will carry out a joint community initiative during the visit.
SV 98 is working closely with the Bundesliga on its U.S. trip. As part of its broader international marketing strategy, the Bundesliga supports its clubs in increasing the league’s visibility around the world.
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.
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).
„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.
FAQs regarding the postponed friendly match against San Antonio
SV 98 answers the most important questions about the postponed friendly match of the Lilies against their cooperation partner San Antonio FC.
USA tour: Lilies postpone friendly match to September 29th
With the upcoming trip to San Antonio (Texas) in mind, SV 98 has decided to postpone the planned friendly match against its cooperation partner San Antonio FC to September 29, 2026. The delegation trip with representatives from the board and management will still take place.