It starts again! On Sunday afternoon (August 4th/1:30pm) SV Darmstadt 98 starts the new 2024/25 second division season with the home game against Fortuna Düsseldorf. On the occasion of the first match day, the press conference before the game with Torsten Lieberknecht took place on Friday (August 2nd). The head coach of SV 98 answered questions about the mood in and around the club and the team, the upcoming opponent and the squad composition. You can read the most important statements here.
Personnel update: Alexander Brunst and Fabian Holland are out. The rest is fit and ready for use.
There is nervousness and tension, but also anticipation that things can start again. After all, we are all working towards finally getting started again. Nevertheless, every team that is at home in the professional sector first tries to find its rhythm in the first game. But we don’t want to take a long time to get used to it, we want to be ready right away.
We want to be a team back home at the Bölle that shows more strength at home. We are preparing for that. We want to cause surprises in this second league with the outstanding clubs. We play no role at all in the media in many areas across the country. But we are ambitious and sportingly responsible for ensuring that we have a greater presence. I have the feeling that something is growing together again within the team. I’m really looking forward to what’s coming up – namely accompanying the team through change and departure.
We have a good, tidy basic structure. The new arrivals have a high level of social skills to fit into the team. We now want to create identification by showing that all the boys leave their hearts on the pitch. And I am convinced that this is exactly what the boys want to embody.
Fortuna almost ended up in the first division last year because they have a good team. I would have loved it for them. Every team in the second division has its strengths and weaknesses. As is well known, Düsseldorf is always a block. But I’m glad that we’re playing against Fortuna Düsseldorf on the first matchday because it’s a real challenge. Fortuna played incredible test games in preparation. They won against Ipswich and Galatasaray. So they’ve dealt with the last season well and feel like attacking again.
It’s a good mix of anticipation, relaxedness and fun, but also concentration and competition. Overall I feel a positive mood. It was also extremely loud on the pitch this morning. So there is a good culture there and life in the troops.
We want to be a team that quickly builds identification. The club did a lot in the summer with fan festivals and various events – things that are hardly available at any other Bundesliga location. A certain tension has built up for everyone due to the transfers. The fact that 7,000 fans were there for the season opener against Swift Hesperange was an incredible sign. These were moments that confirmed the team that they were in the right place. The Darmstadt native likes to nibble. But he is friendly, correct and straightforward. But the Darmstadt resident is also someone who is there when he is needed. It starts again on Sunday. And we need all Darmstadt residents for that.
I wish Marv much success and good luck. I hope he will leave his mark in England, just as he has done here over the last seven years. It is clear that we are still looking for someone for the offensive position. But now I’m concentrating on the guys who are there. They showed a good final test match in the dress rehearsal against Coventry.
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.
SV 98 remains active in the transfer market. The "Lilies" have signed Christopher Lannert from Arminia Bielefeld.
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.
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.