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.
Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.
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Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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Bayer 04 start the 2026/27 season away to third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ahead of the DFB Pokal tie on Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez spoke at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The topics: anticipation, passion, the fans’ support – and the captaincy for the new season.
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SV Wehen Wiesbaden undoubtedly envisaged a different start to the new season. After two matchdays, the Hessen side currently sit bottom of the Liga 3 table. On Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), SVWW host the Werkself in the first round of the DFB Pokal at their home ground, the BRITA Arena. It was there, in this very competition a year ago, that the club almost pulled off a massive upset. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Farid Alfa-Ruprecht is going out on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Bundesliga 2 side Hertha Berlin. The pacy winger will be at the Berlin club for one year.
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