Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor

The Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor has been open for 102 years and has had various upgrades and redevelopment projects to the ground in recent years.

Most recently, the east stand, nicknamed “Gegengerade” was demolished in 2018 and completed in 2020. Redevelopment plans also included the construction of a new main stand with the overall cost rising to €40 million.

Work on the new main stand began in August 2020 with the project fully completed on March 18, 2023 where new boxes, hospitality and VIP areas were made available to fans. The hospitality area in the new main stand is called the ENTEGA VIP-Lounge due to sponsorship reasons.

Merck have had naming rights on the stadium since 2014, however in the 2016/17 season it was named the Jonathan-Heimes Stadion am Böllenfalltor to commemorate a loyal supporter who tragically died at the age of 26.

With a capacity of 17,810 for SV Darmstadt 98 home games, Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor is currently the second smallest ground in the Bundesliga.

In the mid-1970s, the capacity of the stadium reached up to 30,000 but in 2011 the club was forced to drastically reduce the capacity in order to comply with safety requirements.

The idea of a new stadium was discussed, however, in 2015, the club and fans decided that it would be better the renovate the existing stadium.

Matchday tickets can be purchased at the stadium in the ticket shop or on the SV Darmstadt 98 website. It is advised to try and book in advance online because tickets are in demand due to SV Darmstadt 98’s recent promotion to the Bundesliga.

Tickets in the Haupttribune (main grandstand) cost between €45 to €47. Also, tickets in the Nordtribune (North Stand) cost between €34 to €36.

There are standing areas area in the Jonathan-Heimes-stand and the Gegengerade (east stand), which costs between €14 to €19. Under 18 child tickets are available in all four stands and vary from €10 to €30.

You can find this information and purchase tickets at SV Darmstadt 98’s website: https://www.sv98.de/shops/ticketinfos/blockuebersicht-eintrittspreise/

There are various ways to get to the stadium by car. If you are coming from Frankfurt, then you should take the A5 or 67 towards Darmstadt. When you reach Darmstädter Kreuz, change to the B672 towards Darmstadt-Stadtmitte, Stadium, where you should follow the stadium symbol signs to reach the ground.

If you are coming from Aschaffenburg or Würzburg take the A3 towards Aschaffenburg. When you reach the Aschaffenburg-Ost junction, change to the B26 towards Darmstadt and follow the stadium signs.

If you are arriving from Mainz or Wiesbaden, take the A60 towards Rüsselsheim, swiftly followed by a change to the A67 towards Darmstadt. When you reach Darmstädter Kreuz, change to the B672 towards Darmstadt and follow the stadium signs.

Finally, if you are coming from Heidelberg or Mannheim, take the A5 or A67 towards Darmstadt. At the Darmstädter Kreuz, change to the B672 towards the stadium and follow the signs.

SV Darmstadt 98 state on their website that taking public transport is advised as there are limited parking spaces near the ground.

However, if you are driving and looking for a parking space, the following options are advised:

·       Marienplatz parking lot (Hügelstr. 49)

·       Nordbad (Alsfelder Str. and Marburger Str.)

·       Parking garage Westsite Darmstadt (Mina-Rees-Straße 4)

·       Darmstadion car park (Alexanderstrasse) & Luiscenter (Luisenplatz 3)

·       Parking lots P2, P3 and P6 for cars with a special parking permit.

Fans who decide to use public transport should stop at the nearest tram stop to the stadium, which is the Merck Stadion stop. From the main train station, Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof, Line 2 goes straight to the stadium every 15 minutes. From Luisenplatz, take tram 9 towards Böllenfalltor and exit at Merck-Stadion.

The best way to reach stadium via bus is to take the “H” bus from Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof towards Darmstadt-Kranichstein Kesselhutweg. When you arrive at Luisenplatz, take tram 9 towards Böllenfalltor and exit at the Merck-Stadion stop.

SV Darmstadt 98 have an in-depth overview of how fans can travel to the stadium on matchday on their website. You can find this information here: https://www.sv98.de/stadion/stadionbesuch/anreise/

The away fans are located in the corner of the east stand, opposite to the main stand. Specifically, they are in sections X1 and X2 of the Gegengerade.

The only entrance for away fans is the southeast corner of the stadium. If away fans come from Nieder-Ramstädter Straße, they should continue until Traisaer Straße and then turn left. From they should follow the signs to Gästeblock.

Away fans can eat at the stadium or visit the Darmstadt City Centre to enjoy a range of restaurants and bars that welcome home and away fans.

Public transport is also advised to away fans due to the limited availability of parking on matchdays near the ground.

There is a variety of food available at the stadium, however fans also have the option to explore restaurants and bars in Darmstadt City Centre and Luisenplatz.

The best bar near to the stadium is the Lilienschänke sports bar, the official club restaurant, which offers a wide range of German cuisine and tap beer. Another nearby restaurant worth visiting is the Ristorante Amato, which is popular on matchdays.

In Darmstadt City Centre there are many bars that are suitable for football fans. These include Hotzenplotz, The Hobbit, Wellnitz and Kessel. There is also an Ireland Pub on Mauerstraße, as well as many other cultural dining and drinking spots for football fanatics in Darmstadt.

Visiting fans should also try the local beer, Pfungstädter, which is brewed just outside Darmstadt.

There are a variety of options to stay near the stadium. If you want to stay near the ground, the Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel Darmstadt is a great option. You can also stay at the Maritim Hotel Darmstadt and Welcome Hotel Darmstadt. All these hotels are within two miles of the stadium.

SV Darmstadt 98’s two main rivals are Kickers Offenbach and Eintracht Frankfurt. Historically Kickers Offenbach have been the biggest rival for SV Darmstadt 98, however the last league game played between the teams was on 26 April 2013 in the 3. Liga.

SV Darmstadt 98 have played Eintracht Frankfurt more recently and frequently in the Hesse derby. Eintracht Frankfurt have been victorious in the last three derby games, which have all taken place at Deutsche Bank Park.

There are 53 wheelchair spaces in the areas W1 and W3 located in the main stand. In addition to this, there are four wheelchair spaces in guest area access X1. Tickets cost €10 including the accompanying person.

There are five seats available for fans with visual impairments and their companions in the main stand area W3 row 6, which also costs €10.

SV Darmstadt 98 also offers an additional six spaces for fans with disabilities. These spaces are reserved for people with walking difficulties, cancer or psychological disabilities.

There is an in-depth guide to disability access and facilities here: https://www.bundesliga-reisefuehrer.de/de/club/sv-darmstadt-98