The 30,210 capacity BayArena is one of the most modern stadiums in Europe. A further element of the development of the building is the installation of the most innovative lock system on the market. The digital iLOQ keys and lock cylinders from iLOQ are provided with electricity through kinetic energy created when keys are entered.
"No batteries or cables are needed with the iLOQ solution. This saves us the cost of buying and exchanging batteries and reduces environmental impact as there is no battery waste. Access rights are programmed on the keys so that only one key is required to open all the locks in the stadium. At the same time, we can easily delete and securely reprogram access rights to lost or stolen keys. That removes the cost of exchanging lock cylinders and replacing keys," explained Wolfgang Seßmann, director of strategic building management for the BayArena.
iLOQ S5 is part of the iLOQ 5 series, which also includes the iLOQ S 50 solution for mobile access management. Here, mobile phones operate both as keys and sources of power. The building management team at Bayer 04 will benefit in future from the advantages of the mobile lock system – use in other facilities at the club is already planned.
"This is a great opportunity for iLOQ. We look forward to helping make life easier for the staff and visitors to the stadium and to further strengthen our brand on the German market. And, as a company with finish routes, we are also happy that the Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is an established member of the Bayer 04 Leverkusen squad," said Sascha Hilgers, CEO of iLOQ Germany.
"With the status of Safety Partner of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, iLOQ is part of a select circle of brands providing a productive contribution to the future of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The presence of iLOQ will be visible on advertising hoardings and the TV video panel in the stadium, throughout the all digital communication from Bayer 04 Leverkusen and at iLOQ stakeholder events," said Joni Lampinen, chief marketing officer at iLOQ.
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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