For the fourth time, the Haftpflichtkasse insurance company and SV Darmstadt 98 have jointly awarded four clubs with the Volunteer Award. The award ceremony, including the presentation of the checks, took place last Sunday (May 17th) before the home game against SC Paderborn at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. The Volunteer Award, established in 2023 by the Haftpflichtkasse and SV Darmstadt 98, aims to strengthen volunteer engagement and promote outstanding projects.
The award not only recognises exceptional club work and outstanding commitment, but also underscores the high value of volunteer work in Darmstadt and the surrounding region. A winner was selected in each of three different categories by a jury: Karate Dojo Dieburg e.V. won in the „Education & Knowledge Transfer“ category, TG 07 Eberstadt in the „Ecology & Sustainability“ category, and SKG Bensheim-Zell e.V. in the „Generations & Movement“ category. The „Community Cohesion & Participation“ category was decided by a public vote following a jury selection. Around 3,889 people participated in the vote, which was won by SV DJK Victoria Dieburg e.V. All the award-winning clubs will receive prize money of €3,000 each.
„A heartfelt thank you to the award-winning clubs for their important contributions! Our partnership with SV Darmstadt 98 makes such awards possible. Thank you to SV Darmstadt 98 for the excellent cooperation, as always!“ emphasized Dr. Frank Welfens, Chairman of the Board of Haftpflichtkasse VVaG.
Audience vote with 1,627 votes: SV DJK Viktoria Dieburg e.V.
SV DJK Viktoria Dieburg e.V. understands inclusion as an integral part of its club identity. The club creates opportunities and structures so that people with and without disabilities can naturally participate in sports together, experience community, and take part in club life. Inclusion is already actively practiced in table tennis. In addition, the club invests in accessible infrastructure such as a wheelchair ramp, digital assistance solutions, an automatic entrance door, and is currently converting a changing room into an accessible restroom.
Viktoria Dieburg also promotes participation beyond traditional sports, for example, through its eSports department and the „Herzkicker“ project, where children with and without disabilities play soccer together. The club deserves the award because it not only talks about inclusion but puts it into practice: through concrete construction projects, inclusive sports programs, strong volunteerism, and a safeguarding policy for children and young people. The prize money will be used for the conversion of the accessible restroom to enable everyone to enjoy an independent and dignified stay at the clubhouse.
Karate Dojo Dieburg e.V.
The Karate Dojo Dieburg e.V. combines sport, values education, and community in a long-established club concept. The volunteer-run program is aimed at children, teenagers, and adults regardless of age, background, or individual abilities, creating open, non-discriminatory access to physical activity and personal development.
Children’s and youth programs are a particular focus. Regular training sessions not only impart karate-specific skills but also instill social values such as respect, discipline, consideration, and self-confidence. The club thus offers young people guidance, a sense of belonging, and a reliable environment.
Integration and participation are actively practiced in daily training: people from diverse cultural backgrounds train together, support each other, and grow together as a community. This commitment is fostered by instructors and club members who volunteer their time to training, events, examinations, and other activities.
The prize money will be used for training materials for children’s and youth groups, subsidies for socially disadvantaged members, and additional community-building courses and events. Furthermore, the hosting of a Central German Championship in Dieburg is scheduled for 2028, which will require further investment and voluntary commitment.
TG07 Eberstadt e.V.
TG 07 Eberstadt is committed to significantly reducing its carbon footprint and becoming carbon-neutral in the long term. Following the successful digitalisation of its club administration, the club launched a comprehensive sustainability project about two and a half years ago and has since implemented numerous measures.
These include a photovoltaic system with 49 modules, a 15 kWh battery storage system, two semi-public charging stations, the conversion to LED lighting, electronic radiator valves, the purchase of an electric bus, and the planting of a maple tree. In addition, the club is also involved in social and environmental initiatives, such as regular flea markets for children’s clothing, donations to a clothing bank, and a public drinking fountain. Further measures are already planned, including replacing the gas heating system with a heat pump, expanding the photovoltaic system, drilling a well, installing automatic irrigation, charging stations for e-bikes, and a swap meet for children’s sportswear.
The club sees itself as a pioneer in sustainable club development and actively shares its knowledge with other sports clubs. The prize money will be used for a project that visualises gas, water, and electricity consumption in real time. This aims to raise awareness among members and guests about using resources more consciously; in addition, the efficiency of the photovoltaic system will be presented transparently.
Sport- und Kulturgemeinde SKG Bensheim-Zell e.V.
SKG Bensheim-Zell e.V. is a long-established sports and cultural association that strengthens village life across all generations. The association’s goal is to provide opportunities for interaction, exercise, and community for people of all ages – from baby gymnastics for toddlers to full-body workouts for seniors.
In addition to its regular sports program, SKG organises numerous cultural and social events, including children’s carnival, Halloween and St. Nicholas celebrations, an adult carnival, an intergenerational „Ludo“ tournament, the Zell village market, the Zell fair, Christmas tree sales, theater evenings, and monthly coffee gatherings for seniors. The association is also actively involved in children’s and youth programs during the summer holidays.
The association deserves this award because, through its high level of volunteer commitment, it brings together people of all ages, combats loneliness, and facilitates integration within the village. With 771 members in a town of just under 1,000 inhabitants, the SKG is deeply rooted in the community and a central driving force of social life. The prize money will be used to purchase a high-contrast screen for the clubhouse, enabling members to watch films and sporting events together. It will also support the club’s youth programs.
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.
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.
Third test, third clear victory. SV 98 won the match against FC 08 Homburg 5-1 (3-0).
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.
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.
On Tuesday (July 14, 6pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts Regionalliga side FC Homburg and asks fans to take note of the following information.
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.
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.
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.
SV Darmstadt 98 successfully completed their second pre-season friendly, defeating Verbandsliga side VfR Fehlheim 8-0 (4-0).
