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.
Darmstadt President Markus Pfitzner: „Paul has accomplished a tremendous amount over the past two years: He has further professionalised our sporting structure and, with his innovative approaches, has helped us develop as a club. Above all, he has ensured that after a difficult one-year stint in the Bundesliga, we are once again playing a very strong role in the 2. Bundesliga. With this long-term contract, Paul is clearly demonstrating his commitment to Darmstadt. Together with Tom Eilers, he will continue to drive the path of consistent professionalisation, and we believe we are ideally positioned for the future. The externally visible upgrade of his title to Managing Director of Sport is an expression of our great trust in and firm belief in Paul.“
Paul Fernie: „It’s no secret that I feel very comfortable in this special club and its environment, and I’m incredibly happy to be working for SV 98. A key factor in my decision to extend my contract was the strong relationship of trust with our board and the transparency in our interactions and regarding mutual expectations. Markus and his team are very keen to understand, follow, and support our daily business and decision-making processes. This makes my work, for example in squad planning, much easier. This knowledge, coupled with a clear vision, made the decision to extend my contract long-term easy. I’m really looking forward to our future together.“
Fernie took up his position as sporting director at the Lilies in April 2024. The 39-year-old will now join SV 98’s four-member management team, consisting of Michael Weilguny (commercial operations), Martin Kowalewski (marketing & sales), and Tom Eilers (match operations & organisational development).
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.
SV Darmstadt 98 successfully completed their second pre-season friendly, defeating Verbandsliga side VfR Fehlheim 8-0 (4-0).
