"After one and a half seasons together, with JAKO being a highly professional and efficient partner, we were happy to enter a closer relationship through a long-term strategy," said Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade. "Not just because of the improved financial considerations, we are now extending our contractual relationship with JAKO. Our supplier has performed brilliantly since the start of the partnership in 2016. Thanks to the outstanding quality of materials, special service provision, high flexibility and creativity, JAKO has become a premium partner in a very short space of time and we want to hold onto that support and expertise in the future. For JAKO, we were not only the clear number one in the ranking of partners – as we felt on a daily basis and that was, above all, demonstrated by their actions," said Schade.
The company from Hollenbach, a partner of professional clubs in European football for over 20 years, has been able to achieve set marketing targets through the joint venture with Bayer 04. Rudi Sprügel, chairman of the board at JAKO, was also very pleased after the signing of the new four-year contract: "We're very happy to go forward into the future together with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. That means we will remain a partner of a top club with an international profile for at least another four years. This extension is a logical step for us. In the previous 18 months of our partnership, both sides have been living proof of the team approach. We have been able to benefit from the expertise of the club on all levels and we have done our best every day to supply top quality kit to the Werkself and their fans. At the same time, our partnership has brought us closer together. On that basis, we want to develop all aspects of our partnership, increase the visibility of our two brands across all channels and make full use of the great opportunities provided by Bayer 04 Leverkusen. So I'm looking forward to an exciting second half of the season and I'm confident JAKO and the Werkself will soon be seen on the European stage once again."
Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler sees the extension of the contract as the logical continuation of a success story: "Both sides have recognised the great potential of this partnership," said Völler. "We offer JAKO the opportunity to continue to grow alongside a top German club. And our partner continues to supply us with high-quality equipment that is both functional and looks good. The designs and ideas presented to us by JAKO over the last year and a half have all been implemented," declared Völler. "We are now looking forward to new joint projects and ideas."
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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