
"Exequiel Palacios has developed into a mainstay of our Werkself since signing in 2020. He has been one of the key players in recent years and will continue to take on a lot of responsibility in building a team that is hungry for success and capable of winning trophies," said Bayer 04 Managing Director Sport Simon Rolfes . "Pala's value to us has increased from season to season. His vast international experience as well as his outstanding strategic and individual qualities as a number six make him a key element in the construction of another highly ambitious team."
Palacios sees his contract extension at Leverkusen as the logical continuation of an absolute success story: "Bayer 04 have gone through a breathtaking development since I arrived in Germany five years ago. It's a great feeling to have been an important part of this process," says the 26-year-old. "Now we want to continue this story with a team that has everything it takes to continue playing a major part in national and European competitions. I'm really looking forward to the time ahead with Bayer 04."

Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
Show more
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
Show more
Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
Show more
The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
Show more