By taking this action, the Werkself are looking to draw attention to the long-standing commitment of the foundation. Deutsche Krebshilfe has been providing support for people suffering from cancer and their relatives since 1974. According to the motto of "Help. Research. Information." the organisation promotes projects for the improvement of prevention, screening, diagnosis, therapy, medical after-care and psychosocial care.
Matthias Adler, head of fans and sustainability: "The Deutsche Krebshilfe organisation with Bayer 04 advocate a healthy lifestyle as a preventative measure. This is happening as part of the project of Football Fans in Training. On the 50th anniversary, we want to raise additional awareness of Deutsche Krebshilfe with our profile in the cup competition on our sleeves."
Gerd Nettekoven, CEO of the Stiftung Deutsche Krebshilfe: "We are very happy that the German champions are showing commitment to the Deutsche Krebshilfe and making the sleeve on the team jerseys available free of charge for the Pokal game against Jena. The increased awareness for our important work in all areas in the fight against cancer is of very great value to us."
This is not a one-off event. Bayer 04 has been in partnership with the Deutsche Krebshilfe organisation for many years and is planning further joint actions with the foundation in this anniversary year: Bayer 04 will take part in a special campaign in professional sport in the autumn initiated by the foundation. In addition, together with the Deutsche Krebshilfe, Bayer 04 will be staging a ‘Football fans in training’ tournament 2024 on 12 October with participants from all over Germany.
At ‘Football fans in training’ overweight fans have the opportunity to lose kilos on free courses with professional support at Bayer 04 facilities and to look at their own diets in groups with like-minded people. The preventative project is now being carried out in 25 clubs in the three professional leagues in Germany together with the Deutsche Krebshilfe organisation.
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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The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
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While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
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