
"The contract extension with Bitburger is another indication we have confidence in long-term partnerships and we want to continue to develop this one together," said Markus Breglec, Bayer 04 chief marketing & innovation officer. We have worked with Bitburger since 2007 and they are the partner with the longest loyalty to us. So it's even better for us to achieve the extension both for the club and, of course, for the fans too."
As a partner in the Sponsors club, Bitburger has the right to sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks of the Bitburger and Benediktiner brands at the BayArena as well as at all Bayer 04 events. The family brewery also has naming rights for the North Stand as well as the beer garden at the BayArena. Marco Boor, head of regional marketing and sponsorship at Bitburger, sees the extension as a sign of consistency and loyalty: "We are proud to have agreed the extension with Bayer 04. We have had an active partnership with the club and their fans for many years and we look forward to further years together under the Cross."
About Bitburger:
Bitburger is one of Germany's leading private breweries. The success of the traditional company has been based for over 200 years on the uncompromising desire for the highest quality and courage to introduce technological innovation. As a family company the seventh generation, Bitburger has also traditionally been involved in its home region. And Bitburger believes the careful use of natural resources and an effective contribution to environmental and climate protection are essential.

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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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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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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