The 76th Darmstadt Heinerfest is just around the corner, and naturally, the Lilies will be part of the action—we’ll be covering it. Meanwhile, on Saturday (July 4th), SV Darmstadt 98 will play their first friendly of this summer’s pre-season against SG Arheilgen, featuring debuts for new signings and the unveiling of the new kit. In "Lilies Across the Board," we bring you all the latest news and updates from within the club.
The 76th Darmstadt Heinerfest is just around the corner, and naturally, the „Lilien“ will be part of the action. As they do every year, the SV Darmstadt 98 professional squad and coaching staff will join you in the Heinerfest festivities on Thursday evening (July 2) starting around 6 p.m.—specifically at the „Heinergadde“ on Karolinenplatz. This is your chance to see our new signings up close for the first time, collect autographs, snap souvenir photos, and chat with the players. Come by and enjoy a lively Heinerfest evening with the Lilien.
Anyone looking to stock up on blue-and-white fan merchandise can also visit the Lilien fan mobile on the market square throughout the weekend.
The Lilies‘ summer pre-season is picking up pace: this coming Saturday (July 4th), SV Darmstadt 98 will play their first friendly match of the new season. To mark SG Arheilgen’s 150th anniversary, head coach Florian Kohfeldt’s squad will visit the SGA sports complex for a match kicking off at 1:00pm.
For the Lilies, this game marks the start of the friendly match phase of their summer preparations. The focus will be on executing on-field routines; captain Marcel Schuhen emphasises that the priority is to apply what has been worked on in training under match conditions and to further refine the team’s automatic patterns of play. At the same time, the many traveling fans will get their first look at the new signings. Furthermore, SV 98’s new home kit—set to be unveiled on Friday (July 3rd) at 10:00am—will make its debut on the pitch.
For SG Arheilgen, the Lilies‘ visit is a highlight of their anniversary year. The historic club is celebrating its 150th anniversary and is hosting its sporting neighbour, SV Darmstadt 98, for a special football celebration. SGA President Thomas Stetz emphasises: „It is a great honour for our club to host a match against SV Darmstadt 98 during our anniversary year. This event is a powerful sign of appreciation for the SGA and its long history.“
In a media session following Thursday’s training (July 2), Marcel Schuhen answered questions from the reporters present. Topics included his vacation in Canada, Saturday’s friendly match in Arheilgen, and the FIFA World Cup. The Lilies goalkeeper considers Argentina one of the title favourites—primarily due to their exceptional team spirit and loyalty to key player Lionel Messi.
„They might complain to the referee or the opposition, but never within the team,“ Schuhen said, praising the Albiceleste’s cohesion. It is precisely these qualities that impress him: „I like teams that play with heart.“ After all, values such as unity, passion, and standing up for one another have always played an important role during his time at SV Darmstadt 98.
San Antonio FC’s 2–1 away victory was not enough to reclaim the top spot in the standings. „The Black and Red“ secured the win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC thanks to a goal from Alex Crognale. However, since Orange County SC also won their match, the Californians remain two points ahead of the Texans. Coach Carlos Llamosa’s team will have their next opportunity to narrow the gap on Sunday (July 5th) at 3:00am German time, when San Antonio FC hosts Monterey Bay FC from California.
Our central defender, who is now wearing the Lilies‘ jersey on a permanent basis following her six-month loan, celebrated her 21st birthday on Monday (June 29th). We offer Grayson Dettoni our warmest congratulations and wish her every success for the new season.
Uwe Hahn and Joachim Weber were key players for the „Lilies“ during their promotion to the Bundesliga in 1978. Uwe Hahn celebrated his 72nd birthday on Wednesday (July 1st); he scored 28 goals in 193 competitive matches for SV Darmstadt 98. Joachim Weber turns 75 on Friday (July 3rd); he netted 40 goals in 212 competitive appearances for the club. We send our warmest birthday wishes to both of you and hope you enjoy good health and many more wonderful moments with the Lilies!
Paul Will will no longer play for SV 98. The midfielder is moving to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, the club where the 27-year-old already played on loan during the second half of the previous season. Both clubs have agreed on a permanent transfer.
Throughout its eventful history, SV Darmstadt 98 has gone through many different eras. Yet, the Lily has been a constant companion throughout. It is the symbol that has united the club for generations. The home jersey for the 2026/27 season is therefore a tribute to the Lily—a mark of tradition, yet also an emblem of the current era.
A special honour for Anne Baumann. During the official opening of the Heinerfest on Thursday (July 2nd), the Darmstadt native was honored as a "committed Heinerin."
Southern Hesse’s largest choir! On December 22, 2026, the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor will once again be filled with Christmas spirit as the great Darmstadt Christmas Sing-Along—presented by Merck—takes place for the third time. Advance ticket sales begin on Friday (July 3 at 12:00pm), both online and at the ticket shop at the Merck-Stadion. We have summarised all further details for you in this announcement.
The Bundesliga e.V. released the fixture list for the upcoming 2026/27 2. Bundesliga season on Thursday midday (July 2nd). The Lilies will kick off the new season with a home match against Holstein Kiel at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor (August 8th or 9th). SV Darmstadt 98’s first away trip follows a week later on Matchday 2, taking them to Dynamo Dresden.
Creativity and a goal-scoring threat for SV 98's attacking midfield: The Lilies have signed Lance Duijvestijn. The 27-year-old Dutchman is moving from Sparta Rotterdam to southern Hesse.
On Sunday afternoon (June 28th), head coach Florian Kohfeldt gathered his squad for the first training session of the pre-season in 35-degree heat. The opening session is always a special occasion, but this year it had a unique twist: the "Lilies" did not train in their usual surroundings at the Böllenfalltor, but rather at the SV Winterkasten grounds in the Odenwald region—watched by more than 400 spectators who attended the roughly 90-minute session.
There continues to be movement in the Lilien's attack. SV 98 has signed Ibrahim El Kadiri from the Dutch club De Graafschap Doetinchem.
SV 98 can announce another new signing ahead of the start of training on Sunday (June 28). Lars Kehl is joining the "Lilies" from VfL Osnabrück on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.
It was an early start on Thursday morning (June 25th) as SV Darmstadt 98 kicked off their 2026 summer pre-season. The goalkeepers were expected at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor just before 7am, with many other players following shortly thereafter. Yet, despite the early hour, a cheerful Marcel Schuhen jogged from the car park to the team building, flashing a broad grin as he held up an "eight" for the camera. "Today marks the eighth time in a row that I’m starting summer pre-season with the Lilies," smiled the SV 98 captain; under contract at the "Bölle" since 2019, he is the longest-serving player in the current squad.
Reinforcement for the SV 98 defence: The Lilies have signed Yannik Lührs. The 22-year-old defender joins the club at the Böllenfalltor from TSG Hoffenheim II.
The summer break is drawing to a close, and this coming Sunday (June 28th), the Darmstadt professionals will be back on the training pitch for the first time, officially starting their preparations for the 2026/27 second division season. And they'll be doing so in the Odenwald region. Furthermore, the club has welcomed another new signing, Nicolas Verkooijen. You can find these and other topics in our weekly edition, "Lilies Across the Board."