30.06.2026Sustainability

For a good cause: Blau-Gelbe Kreuz collects BayArena seating

The sustainable use of the BayArena seats removed as part of the current stadium upgrade has taken on a new dimension: Following on from numerous Bayer 04 fans receiving their ‘Undefeated Champions seats’ and various clubs and community organisations from Leverkusen and the wider region having collected the dismantled seats, Blau-Gelbe Kreuz e.V. also made their way to the BayArena recently. The German-Ukrainian aid organisation took away around 2,100 seats; in Ukraine, these will be used to upgrade the sports infrastructure of two clubs.

In addition to the seats, the aid organisation – committed to supporting Ukraine for many years – also collected other components of the stadium’s previous seating system, such as wall brackets and crossbeams. In Ukraine, the equipment will benefit sports clubs in the towns of Korzhi and Baryshivka. This includes old wooden stadium seats being replaced by the BayArena seats.

"message of solidarity and unity"

Matthias Adler, Head of Sustainability at Bayer 04, says: “This initiative combines two causes that are important to us: sustainability and community commitment. We are delighted that some of our decommissioned seats will now benefit Ukrainian sports clubs via Blau-Gelbe Kreuz. Furthermore, Bayer 04 sees itself as part of the wider Bayer family, which has been providing extensive aid to Ukraine for years. With this donation, we are joining this effort and sending a message of solidarity, hope and unity.”

Roman Ganovschii, Head of Logistics at Blau-Gelbe Kreuz, explains: “Supporting people is the most important thing. Not just with material goods. This gives people hope and lets them know they are not alone. The whole world can help by providing support.”

further joint projects planned

The donation and collection of the seats is not the only joint initiative. In future, Bayer 04 and Blau-Gelbe Kreuz e.V. intend to continue their collaboration with further projects. Plans include donating surplus workwear from employees at Bayer Leverkusen, as well as hosting a visit by a youth group from Ukraine to Leverkusen. Bayer AG, in collaboration with Blau-Gelbe Kreuz, is inviting them to a summer camp in Leverkusen, Monheim and the surrounding area. These are the children of fallen or missing Ukrainian soldiers from the twin towns of Leverkusen (Nikopol), Monheim (Volodymyr) and Cologne (Dnipro). As well as a fantastic leisure programme, the camp will also include ‘official’ meetings with the mayors of the German twin towns (e.g. Monheim).

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