For example, the report shows that all 36 clubs have a sustainability strategy and employ a sustainability manager. The first edition of the report also shows significant progress in the areas of climate and the environment: 80 per cent of the electricity purchased by the clubs now comes from renewable sources. In the area of stakeholder groups and social responsibility, all clubs have fan representatives for inclusion and diversity. In addition, they all offer discounted tickets for selected groups of people, such as people with disabilities or trainees and students.
Matthias Adler, Head of Fans and Sustainability at Bayer 04: "We are delighted that we as a club are working together with the DFL to help develop professional football in a sustainable way. It's great to see that all clubs are pulling in the same direction when it comes to sustainability."
In addition to an overview of developments over the past few years, the report also contains a compact overview for each club of how the topic of sustainability is presented in an individual way. That also applies to Bayer 04.
With the introduction of an environmental management system in accordance with EMAS standards in 2025, for example, Bayer 04 have taken another important step towards establishing environmental responsibility throughout the club. At the same time, social commitment remains a central component of the Bayer 04 approach. Programmes such as ‘Bayer 04 Learning Curve’ and ‘Football Fans in Training’ promote education, health and equal opportunities for people of all ages.
Another successful example of the club's commitment is the ‘Bayer 04 helps’ day. Every year, the Werkself, the Bayer 04 Women and club employees actively support local projects in tandem with the city of Leverkusen, thereby strengthening the community of Leverkusen. Last year, this included the redesign of the city library, a powerful example of regional partnership and shared responsibility.
More facts and figures as well as the complete DFL sustainability report can be found HERE.
The DFL (German Football League) has published its first report on sustainability in German professional football. The report highlights substantial developments in the league and at all 36 clubs in Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 in recent years. Bayer 04 also played a part in the creation of the report and were involved in compiling the content.
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Sustainability once again had many faces at Bayer 04 in 2025: In community activity, the club supported countless regional campaigns, including the Leverkusener Tafel, the Frauenennotruf Leverkusen e.V. and the homeless aid organisation "Kältegang". But the Black and Reds have also been involved in good causes around the world - including the Young Coaches training programmes in Uganda and Ecuador plus the Genuine World Cup in the USA, where the Inclusion Werkself competed. Bayer 04 was also fully committed to the environment and underwent external and independently certification in accordance with the European environmental management standard EMAS, for example, to analyse and optimise the club’s environmental efforts. Looking back at sustainability in 2025.
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The Werkself rang in the Black and Red festive season with an emotional visit to Klinikum Leverkusen. Kristin Kögel, Melissa Friedrich and Louisa Remien from the Bayer 04 Women's team and Jonas Hofmann, Janis Blaswich and Niklas Lomb from the first team visited the young patients on the children's ward and, for the first time, on the ‘Zeitinsel’ children's palliative care unit. They brought a host of lovingly wrapped presents ensuring a big surprise for young and old alike.
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This year - for the third time - the parents of the Bayer 04 youth players from the U8 to U15 age groups once again took part in the WDR Christmas Miracle. Under the motto "Goals against hunger in the world - parents in goal!", they organised their own fundraising campaign to once again actively support the important WDR campaign. The sum of €3,420 was handed over at the Glashaus in Essen in the middle of the week during the live programme.
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During half-time in the Werkself home match against 1. FC Köln, Bayer 04 Sportförderung gGmbH awarded the 19th Volunteering Award for outstanding commitment to football in Leverkusen and the surrounding region. The prize money of €15,000 was shared this year by TuS Roland Bürrig 1887 e.V. and SV Oppum 1910 e.V. Bayer 04 would like to thank both clubs and all volunteers in the region for their great commitment.
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