San Antonio FC and SV Darmstadt 98 Announce Groundbreaking Partnership

SAN ANTONIO (July 23, 2024) – San Antonio FC (SAFC) and German club SportVerein Darmstadt 98 have unveiled a comprehensive partnership aimed at enhancing the clubs both on and off the pitch. This collaboration will involve exchanging academy talent and coaches, providing young players with diverse coaching styles and settings to bolster their development.

Alongside these exchanges and potential future player loan agreements, SAFC will host Darmstadt for a friendly match by February 2026 at Toyota Field, offering fans a high-quality international exhibition. Additionally, both teams will have the opportunity to travel and utilize each other’s facilities for training camps.

The announcement aligns with the renewal of the sister city agreement between San Antonio and Darmstadt, Germany, established in 2017. This partnership has fostered collaboration in various sectors, including government, transit, business, music, climate resilience, and academic and professional exchanges.

This soccer partnership will also facilitate discussions on enhancing the cities’ relationship and community impact initiatives within their respective markets.

“We are honored to partner with SV Darmstadt on this project,” said Bobby Perez, SS&E Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. “The opportunity for San Antonio FC to collaborate with this historic, values-driven club is special, and we are grateful for Darmstadt as a new strategic partner.”

Martin Kowalewski, SV Darmstadt 98 Managing Director of Marketing & Sales, expressed his enthusiasm: “We look forward to a successful and fruitful collaboration that enriches cultural understanding and expands our expertise. We are convinced that cooperations and synergies with reliable partners are part of our progress and development and that all parties will benefit from mutual support in the youth sector and mutual knowledge exchange.”

Founded in May 1898, SV Darmstadt 98 is one of Germany’s oldest active clubs. The team competes in the 2. Bundesliga, having earned promotion to the first-division Bundesliga on multiple occasions, most recently ahead of the 2022-23 season.

This partnership marks a significant step for both clubs, promising exciting developments and deeper cultural ties between San Antonio and Darmstadt.