
This is a sport–nutrition–motivation course for overweight Black and Red fans aged between 35 and 65. Over twelve weeks, the participants are guided step-by-step to a healthier lifestyle. In addition to comprehensive coaching in the area of nutrition, the focus is on playing sport together.
The training group of men meet during the 12 weeks of the course at 19.04 on the pitches at the BayArena for joint training sessions. The women's course is held at the same place from 18.00 on Tuesdays. Participation in the 'Football fans in training' project is free of charge to all participants. Applications are required as there are a limited number of places. The current set of courses ends this week but new courses will be announced in the near future at bayer04.de.






In addition, the Bayer 04 Soccer School, in co-operation with mylife Diabestescare, Leverkusen Klinikum and DiaExpert, regularly run exclusive football camps for children and teenagers aged from 6 to 15 with diabetes.
In addition to the usual content of a Bayer 04 football camp, including professional training sessions under qualified football coaches and kit from the Bayer 04 official supplier Jako, the participants are also looked after by qualified medical personnel throughout the day. Parents also have the opportunity to receive clinical updates on their children as part of the Diabetes Club.
Further information on projects in the area of health is available HERE.
The #morethanfootball Action Weeks started on Monday 21 March and run to 14 April. The aim is to highlight how football clubs can live up to their social commitment through a range of activities. The global project initiated by the European Football for Development Network offers participating clubs and organisations the opportunity through a range of theme days to inform their supporters and fans of their own activities in the area of community and social responsibility both on and off the pitch and thereby increase awareness of the role of football within society.
The Werkself took part in the campaign last year. Bayer 04 again present a range of activities on the current theme days. In addition to today’s International Health Day events, that includes the issues of accessibility, social inclusion, awareness, sustainability and climate protection, mental health and much more.
The Werkself and the Bayer 04 Women’s team have also draw attention to the Action Weeks in their recent home games. In addition, the campaign is being supported this year by the Werkself player Robert Andrich and Juliane Wirtz of the Bayer 04 Women's team in their roles as ambassadors.

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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