Foto: DFL / Getty Images 28.04.2025 / English
Tobias Kempe’s time as a Lilien professional ends after the season
A club legend is stepping down: After a total of ten seasons with the Lily on his chest, Tobias Kempe's time as a player for SV98 will end this summer. The club and the 35-year-old agreed in joint talks not to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
Paul Fernie: „Tobi Kempe’s achievements for the Lilies are hard to put into words. His unique history with our club is absolutely exceptional in modern football. He belongs to a very special category of players who have achieved something like this in their careers: not only representing a club, but also living and shaping it for so many years. I have the utmost respect for his achievements in Darmstadt.“
Rüdiger Fritsch: „It’s fair to say that Tobi Kempe is one of the greatest Lilien players of this century. He was a key factor in the past successful decade. Furthermore, with his down-to-earth and open manner, he was a truly likeable figure throughout. Tobi will be given a fitting farewell at the last home game of the season and will always be welcome at SV 98.“
This club, the incredibly great fans and the time we spent together will forever hold a big place in my heart.
Tobias Kempe: „I feel a great sense of gratitude and honour to have spent a large part of my career at this special club. This club, the incredibly great fans, and the time we spent together will forever hold a special place in my heart. Now is a good time to announce my decision about my future to the public. I’ve had very good and trusting discussions with Paul Fernie, Tom Eilers, Florian Kohfeldt, and the executive committee throughout this entire period. I will absorb and enjoy every moment in the coming weeks, right up until the final matchday.“
Kempe has been playing for SV 98 since 2014 – with the exception of one season with 1. FC Nürnberg. He celebrated promotion to the Bundesliga twice with the Lilies, in 2015 and 2023. In the 2014/15 season, Kempe scored the decisive goal for the Bundesliga on the final matchday against FC St. Pauli. Kempe also played a key role in the Lilies‘ only ever top-flight survival, in the 2015/16 season.
To date, the midfielder has made 283 competitive appearances for the Southern Hesse side. The right-footed player has scored 57 goals for the Lilies and provided another 64 assists. The club will bid farewell to Kempe on the final matchday at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
A Lily era in pictures:
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Imago Images 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: DFL / Getty Images 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
Foto: Stefan Holtzem 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: eibner Pressefotos 
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.
Reference: Report on TV revenues 26/27
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.