
The main focus of the project is on social commitment, which Bayer 04 have actively supported and greatly valued for many years.
Bayer 04 were a pioneer in the Bundesliga in 1999 with the introduction of a service for visually impaired fans who now have the chance to follow Werkself matches from the South Stand at the BayArena. Wheelchair users have their own covered area in the South Stand with a good view and a seat for their carer. During the #MorethanFootball Campaign Week, the Bayer 04 Teens Club have organised special day for members and friends with and without visual impairment: At the home game against Wolfsburg on Sunday sensitisation on this issue is centre stage with a special – that is blind – stadium tour and a blind football game. During the Werkself match the Teens can learn about the service of the reporters for the visually impaired and watch a Werkself match from a new perspective.
In addition, 25 teenagers from Austria Vienna will visit their Leverkusen partners in the Scort Foundation from 2 to 9 April. The foundation is responsible for the development and organisation of the Football Club Social Alliance. Since 2009, Bayer 04 have not only been involved in Europe (Ukraine, Kosovo) but also worldwide in Colombia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Palestine, Sudan and Jordan. A total of 1,400 Young Coaches have already been trained worldwide and they have looked after 30,000 children.
In addition, Bayer 04 have long supported community projects. Since 2005, the Bayer 04 Sportförderung gGmbH has presented the Volunteer Award, with the winners receiving a total of €16,000, to socially committed clubs in the area covered by the Middle Rhine and Lower Rhine Associations.
Bayer 04 members of staff, players and coaches continue to be involved in the 'Wir(04)helfen' day of action in a range of projects to renovate or improve kindergarten or children's homes covering gardening work, building huts and much more. In recent years Bayer 04 have made €30,000 available annually. The 'Einfach Fußball Cup' charity tournament has been held twice a year since 2010 to support children and young people with physical and mental disabilities.

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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