Bayer 04, together with the club's partners, have supported Ukrainian refugees since the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Around 1,500 people who fled to Leverkusen have made their home here. "The colleagues at the community foundation are very grateful the comprehensive support from Bayer 04," said Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community at the Werkself. "As Bayer 04, we want to provide support in our home city where help is needed most urgently."
The money raised from the sale of the strictly limited edition special shirts is being made available to the Leverkusen community foundation. In cooperation with the City of Leverkusen there will be a fair distribution to regionally active institutions supporting Ukraine refugees.
The proceeds from the joint derby shirt campaign organised by Bayer 04, Barmenia and JAKO was originally to go to the Leverkusen project 'Bayer 04 im Quartier'. However, given the great suffering of millions of people in Ukraine the all the different managements decided to use the money for Ukraine aid.
The Leverkusen community foundation and Bayer 04 worked successfully together last summer in providing flood relief that saw fast support given to numerous people in and around Leverkusen.
Photo (left to right): Meinolf Sprink (Bayer 04 director of fans/community), Marc Adomat (City manager in the city of Leverkusen), Markus Grawe (Chair of the foundation committee at the Leverkusen community foundation) and Fernando Carro (Bayer 04 CEO).
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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