The new season is just around the corner, and SV Darmstadt 98 wants to kick it off with its fans in style: A varied supporting program awaits you at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor on Wednesday (July 23rd) starting at 4:30pm, where you can experience the team up close and spend a special day during the summer holidays with the Lilies family. One of the highlights of the fan festival is a friendly match between two member teams, for which you can still apply and which will be played directly in the stadium.
Admission to the season-opening fan festival at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, as well as to the friendly match between the two member teams, is free. Seating is free in the main and south stands. For organisational reasons, we simply ask that you secure your free tickets in advance.
Every Lilies member has the chance to fulfill a childhood dream and run onto the hallowed turf of the Merck Stadium in a Lilies jersey. As a highlight, both teams will be coached by Lilies legends Elton da Costa and Gerhard Kleppinger. Thirty adult Lilies members will be randomly selected for the friendly. The draw will take place at 5pm. Here, you can apply exclusively for members.
Following the draw, the SV 98 professional team will conduct a public training session at the stadium. Following the training session, the professionals will be available for autographs and photo opportunities at the partner and amateur divisions.
The members‘ match kicks off at 6:30pm. The teams will play against each other in two 20-minute sets wearing their new Lilien jerseys and will be allowed to keep the jerseys as a memento of this unforgettable day. The relaxed conclusion to the season opening is planned for around 9pm.
Numerous SV 98 partners, as well as the amateur divisions and fans, will be present at the season opening with a variety of booths throughout the grounds and within the main and south stands. Great hands-on and sports activities for young and old, culinary delights, and much more await fans and members at the fan festival at Bölle.
Stand Overview for the 2025/26 Season Opening
Admission begins at 4:30pm on the Lilienschänke side (southwest entrance). The main and south stands, as well as the walkway behind them, are open.
FAN AND TICKET SHOP
The Lilies‘ fan and ticket shop is open, of course, where you can purchase the new jersey or other blue and white fan merchandise.
STANDS
1 – Klöber & Haftpflichtkasse – Soccer Darts
2 – Krombacher Box Kick
3 – Table Tennis / Headis – Practice Tables
4 – SilberLilien – Coffee, Cake, Savory & Creative Items
5 – Sport Karate – Demonstrations & Try-Outs
6 – Judo – Demonstrations & Try-Outs
7 – Club History Department + Hiking Sections, Senior Sports & Elders‘ Council
8 – Ensinger – Photo & Tasting Station
9 – Lilien Darts Team – Throwing Competition
10 – Lilien eFootball – FIFA Tournament
11 – Craft – Sportswear Sale
12 – ENTEGA – Wheel of Fortune
13 – Haix – Soccer Minigolf
14 – Members‘ Booth
15 – FuFa – Lilien Balloons & Cotton Candy
16 – Fußball ID – Goal Scoring
17 – FCBW Raffle
18 – South Stand Group & Curve Stands
19 – Tradition1898 – Chili con Carne
21 – Merck – Human Table Soccer
22 – Futsal Street Soccer
23 – Basketball – Test Baskets
24 – Bölle Bande & Zwote – Goal Wall
25 – Heiner Style – Graffiti Station
We wish all Lilies a wonderful day at the Böllenfalltor!
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.
