"We have got to know EVL as a very reliable partner who takes account of the economic and the environmental sides of the business," said Felix Duden, CEO of TecArena Plus GmbH, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Bayer 04 Fußball GmbH responsible for looking after the technical issues at the Werkself.
Security of supply is particularly important for Bayer 04: "Therefore, we will continue to place the maintenance of our energy systems in the safe hands of EVL, who have always provided us with a reliable energy supply in the past," added Duden. No electricity means no floodlights and no district heating means no undersoil heating. "At the same time, we help Bayer 04 provide energy at the Arena more efficiently and in a more environmentally-friendly manner," said Rolf Menzel, commercial director at EVL. The setting up and certification of the environmental management system in accordance with ISO 50001 standard at Bayer 04 involved support and advice from EVL.
Bayer 04 and Energieversorgung Leverkusen go well together according to Rolf Menzel: "It's hard to imagine the city without the club or without EVL. We both support the area and are committed to Leverkusen." It's not for nothing the club song starts with line 'Zwischen Bayerwerk und Wasserturm' (Between the Bayer works and the Water Tower)," Energieversorgung Leverkusen has supported the club since the early 1980s and is once again a partner in the Sponsors Club this season.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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