The result this Sunday means that SV Darmstadt 98's Bundesliga journey is coming to an end. In the coming season, the Lilies will compete in the second Bundesliga. We have summarised here what the Darmstadt protagonists said in front of the microphones after the 0-1 defeat against 1. FC Heidenheim.
“Congratulations to Heidenheim on their victory and staying in the league. Heidenheim played a fantastic season. First of all, it’s disappointing that we lost the game. The fact that today is also the day of relegation makes it even more bitter for us. We are dejected, while the Heidenheim team rightly celebrated staying in the league. When a team is relegated, you have seen completely different scenarios. But here in the stadium you felt a commonality between all the Lilies. This is important for the weeks and months that lie ahead of us.”
“It’s not completely certain yet, but with 37 points you’ll stay in it. That’s why we celebrated with our fans, because it’s something special for us. It was an even game with chances on both sides. I saw two strong goalkeepers who saved their team from falling behind several times. Overall, we had more possession of the ball and created chances, but Darmstadt were dangerous after transitions. A point would have been fine today, but it was even nicer that we were able to win here. Torsten and I have known each other for so long, of course we suffer. We both wanted to get it done before the season, unfortunately Darmstadt didn’t make it. I wish Darmstadt 98 all the best from the bottom of my heart.”
„It’s emblematic of our season the way this game went. Of course we were a little prepared for this moment, but it’s still an absolute rubbish feeling. There are certainly many things that were decisive for this. Of course we have far too few points, we made too many individual mistakes and perhaps we often didn’t have the right feeling for how things were going in the Bundesliga. Overall, it was a gradual process. We would have liked to delay relegation again, but unfortunately we didn’t succeed.“
On the fans: „The fans are sensational. The sensitivity is really something special and I don’t think there are many clubs where we players can still high-five with so many fans on a round after relegation has been confirmed. If anyone deserved the Bundesliga, it would be them people out there.“
„We were finally relegated today. And that hurts brutally. It’s all the more bitter that it happened in front of our incredible audience. It was emblematic of this season that we lost this game in stoppage time.“
On the fans: „The spectators are incredible. The support throughout the season has been outstanding. And it is our duty to show them that we belong together.“
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.