
With exclusive status as a ‘Safety Partner’ of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, iLOQ belongs to a selected group of brands that make a productive contribution to the future of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The cooperation also allows iLOQ to capitalize on its growth momentum in the important German market and boost its reputation in key Residential, Commercial and Critical Infrastructure business areas.
“We are very happy to have iLOQ as a partner on our side. Both companies have a very modern approach and are ambitious in pursuing their goals,” states Florian Dederichs, Head of Sponsoring, Internationalization & eSports, Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
“Thanks to our new partner, we have been able to raise the technical standard of the BayArena even further. iLOQ’s digital locking system has been ensuring smooth, secure and sustainable movement for visitors and staff within our 30,210-capacity stadium,” concludes Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
“We are satisfied to see the positive impact that iLOQ has had on the BayArena and happy that our solution is now being implemented in Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s other facilities,” states iLOQ’s German Country Manager, Sascha Hilgers.
“iLOQ’s presence is already seen on advertising boards and on the TV video panel at the stadium, in all Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s digital communications and at iLOQ’s stakeholder events. Going forwards, the BayArena will also feature a showroom dedicated to iLOQ’s solutions so even fans will have the opportunity to learn more about how we are making their life more accessible,” states iLOQ’s Chief Marketing Officer, Joni Lampinen.
iLOQ in brief:
iLOQ is a rapidly growing Finnish company that is leading the technological revolution in the digital locking industry. iLOQ transforms mechanical locks into digital and mobile access management. iLOQ solutions are based on technologies developed and patented by the company, enabling electronic and mobile locking without batteries or cables. iLOQ replaces mechanical and electromechanical locking systems with environmentally friendly solutions that solve the problems of lost or copied keys, reduce lock maintenance and minimize lifecycle costs. www.iloq.com

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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