Foto: SV 98 22.06.2025 / English
Kick-off at Bölle: “Now is the time to sweat in the sun”
The long wait is over! On Sunday afternoon (June 22nd), head coach Florian Kohfeldt invited his team onto the pitch at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Instead of cooling off at the outdoor pool, around 350 spectators made their way to Bölle to watch the Lilies for 60 minutes of their opening training session.
After the team began their preseason on Friday (June 20th) with numerous tests and examinations, the players now had a ball at their feet for the first time. The players entered the Merck Stadium to thunderous applause. After a warm-up program with stretching exercises, the program focused primarily on passing drills. This was followed by a game format that focused particularly on tackling, before the opening session was rounded off with a special final game. Two teams competed against each other and had to keep the ball up while running a certain distance. The winning team received loud cheers from the stands at the end.
Now we can really get started again
„I think there’s nothing better than being at the Bölle with our fans and our team. We’re starting the new season with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Even though the players were on vacation, you could tell they’d been working hard during the break,“ said sporting director Paul Fernie.
Florian Kohfeldt’s anticipation for the start of the preseason was also clearly evident: „The boys have returned in good shape. I’m really looking forward to the summer preseason with the team,“ said the head coach, before adding: „The time to lie in the sun is over. Now it’s time to sweat in the sun.“
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 All newcomers included
The spectators not only saw familiar faces, but also got a first glimpse of the new signings. Leon Klassen, Yosuke Furukawa, and Benedikt Börner were able to showcase their footballing prowess for the first time. Fabian Nürnberger and Jean-Paul Boëtius were still absent because they are or were still playing for their national teams. Boëtius will face the Dominican Republic in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tonight with Suriname. Oscar Vilhelmsson was absent due to discussions with another club, and Paul Will was absent due to illness.
From July in the training camp
Following the opening game, the focus in the coming weeks will be on getting into the best possible shape for the start of the season. The first friendly match is scheduled for June 29th, when the Lilies will face group league side SV Traisa at 2pm. Another friendly against Viktoria Aschaffenburg in Reichelsheim is scheduled for July 2nd. The match on July 9th is also fixed: At 6:30pm, the Lilies will host the traditional English club Notts County in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. This year’s SV 98 training camp will take the team to Allgäu – from July 10th to 18th, the Lilies will set up camp in Bad Wörishofen. SV 98 will announce the remaining friendly match opponents in due course.
After the friendly match: Meet & Greet at the training camp
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.
Transfer News: Lannert Becomes Part of the Lilies
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
Intensive Week of Friendlies | Media Day at the Bölle
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.
Bundesliga Confirms Matchdays 3 to 6
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.
Transfer News: Kleinhansl Signs for SV 98
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.
Lilies continue their scoring spree
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
Focused Energy becomes a premium partner of SV 98
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.
Transfer News: Corredor moves to Nantes
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.
Logistical information for the home match against Homburg
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
Starting Wednesday: Member pre-sale for the first home match against Kiel
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.
Digital prize draw for the Krombacher BöllenfallTOR-Goal Bonus
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.
Reference: Report on TV revenues 26/27
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.