Lilies win in Walldorf
SV Darmstadt 98 won their fourth pre-season friendly. The Lilies defeated regional league side FC-Astoria Walldorf 4-1 (0-0) after 120 minutes.
17.03.2025 / English
Presidential elections 2025: Rüdiger Fritsch will not run again
Rüdiger Fritsch will not run for re-election in the upcoming presidential election. Fritsch's term on the executive board, which he has served on since 2008 and as club president since 2012, will thus end in October 2025 after 17 years. Markus Pfitzner, one of the current vice presidents, will run for president and face the vote of the members together with Anne Baumann, Volker Harr, and a full team.
Rüdiger Fritsch: „My goal was always to hand over an orderly transition and a well-tended field to my successor. I now consider this time to be the right one. We have developed excellently in terms of sport for over a decade and are now an integral part of German professional football. Grassroots sport is also an integral part of our club culture, as is the club’s social life, as evidenced by our recent break with 15,000 members. And in terms of infrastructure, we have positioned SV 98 for the future with the construction of the training grounds, the functional building, and especially the stadium renovation. SV 98 is financially healthy and on a stable path. All those who support the Lilies can be proud of this. However, the strength and energy to lead a vibrant and equally demanding club like Darmstadt 98 over such a long period from season to season and to develop it positively are also finite. I am therefore looking forward to being able to do things again this fall that are not exclusively related to football.“
The 63-year-old commercial lawyer adds: „Until my retirement in six months, I can promise that I will do everything in my power to ensure a smooth transition of the business. This is one of the reasons why I deliberately decided to announce my decision with sufficient advance notice. In this context, I am extremely pleased that Markus Pfitzner, one of the current vice presidents, will be running for president and, together with Anne Baumann, Volker Harr, and a complete team, will face the vote of the members. Continuity and reliability are the virtues that have sustained this association since Hans Kessler’s presidency.“
The members will decide at the ordinary general meeting in October 2025 who will succeed Rüdiger Fritsch and Wolfgang Arnold, who will also no longer be running for the presidency.
"Until my departure in six months, I can promise that I will do everything in my power to ensure a smooth handover of the business. This is one of the reasons why I have deliberately decided to announce my decision with sufficient advance notice."
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.