"We are very proud of this partnership, which is marked by professionalism and shared commitment," said Fernando Carro, chairman of the board at Bayer 04. "There is a high degree of mutual estimation between the management at Barmenia and us. The now long-term cooperation demonstrates this affinity and the motivation to develop our partnership at a high level over the coming years."
For the Barmenia insurance group and their marketing and sales director Frank Lamsfuß the extension of the commitment is expression of continuity and confidence: "We have successfully positioned ourselves as partners of Bayer 04 and have been able to significantly increase the perception of our brand. With the long-term continuation of this relationship we want to further strengthen this base and further exploit our market potential. The whole Barmenia team is looking forward to the forthcoming years with Bayer 04."
The features of the contract between Barmenia and Bayer 04 include comprehensive advertising presence at the BayArena on matchdays in addition to the kit sponsorship. Plus there are increasingly innovative formats in the area of digital media as well as highly emotional fan input.
Hendrik Schiphorst, Executive Vice President Football at Lagardère Sports, the marketing partner of Bayer 04, said: "We are very happy that we were able to successfully help shape the partnership between Barmenia and Bayer 04 Leverkusen over the past few years. Barmenia and Bayer 04 Leverkusen go perfectly together and we look forward to being able to continue providing our expertise for two ambitious brands in the field of sports sponsorship."
Barmenia Versicherungen has been the main and kit sponsor of Bayer 04 since July 2016. Both the club Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Barmenia Versicherungen were founded in 1904. Barmenia is one of the independent insurance groups in Germany. They they have 3,800 employees across Germany including 1,700 at their base in Wuppertal. Their product range covers sickness and life-insurance, through accident and car insurance to liability insurance and property insurance.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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