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."
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.