The two clubs SV Darmstadt 98 and San Antonio FC from Darmstadt’s US sister city of San Antonio will work more closely together in the future. This is the aim of a cooperation agreement signed on Tuesday (July 23rd) between the Lilies and Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E), the operating company of San Antonio FC, was closed. The cooperation was expressly welcomed by Darmstadt’s Mayor Hanno Benz and San Antonio’s Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who were also on site on Tuesday, and supported by signing a “Letter of Support”.
The aim of the cooperation between the two clubs is to promote young players, an intensive intercultural and knowledge exchange in the areas of sports science, sports medicine and training science as well as marketing, sales, media and innovation. The signing follows successful discussions between the two sides.
Martin Kowalewski, Managing Director of Marketing & Sales at SV 98: “We are looking forward to a successful and fruitful collaboration that enriches cultural understanding and expands our know-how.” He adds: “We are convinced that cooperation and synergies with reliable “Our partners are part of our progress and further development, and that all sides will benefit from the mutual support in the youth sector and the mutual exchange of knowledge.”
“We are honoured to work with SV Darmstadt on this project,” said Bobby Perez, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of SS&E: “The opportunity for San Antonio FC to work with this historic, values-driven club is special, and we are grateful for Darmstadt as a new strategic partner.”
“The newly concluded cooperation agreement opens up promising opportunities to use the integrative power of sport to bring people from all walks of life together,” explain Mayor Benz and Mayor Nirenberg. “We therefore strongly support this cooperation agreement and see it as a further important step towards strengthening our city partnership.” Mayor Benz adds: “The visit also opens up the opportunity to strengthen the municipal partnership in view of current crises and the presidential election in the USA and to expand the sports clubs project into this important area.”
From June 26th to July 2nd, a delegation from SV Darmstadt 98 visited the US state of Texas and the city of San Antonio there. In addition to meetings with officials from the local soccer club San Antonio FC and the SS&E, the program also included visits to the city of San Antonio and the Southwest Research Institute.
From July 20th to 23rd, 2024, a delegation from San Antonio visited the science city of Darmstadt. In addition to taking part in the signing of the “Memorandum of Understanding”, Mayor Ron Nirenberg met with Mayor Hanno Benz for an exchange and took part in a panel discussion on the topic of “Transatlantic Relations” at the TU Darmstadt.
Since 2017, Darmstadt and San Antonio have maintained a close partnership that includes lively exchange on political, cultural, university and social levels as well as in the areas of youth work and sports. This partnership is based on the conviction that intensive exchange and personal encounters at all levels represent added value for both urban societies.
SV Darmstadt 98 informed all season ticket holders about the season ticket procedure for the 2026/27 season on Wednesday (May 6th) and would also like to share this letter on the club's own website.
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.