There’s a new force fuelling the Werkself. New Balance has officially dropped the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Home Kit for the 2025/26 season—marking the start of a landmark partnership with one of the Bundesliga’s most electrifying outfits. And in true NB fashion, they haven’t held back.
It’s all change at Leverkusen. Amongst losing their manager and some of their star players, the Bundesliga side have also switched up their technical partners, with New Balance coming in to take the reigns from Castore. And the first kit from this new partnership has now been revealed. Progressive by design and steeped in meaning, the new shirt delivers a daring reinterpretation of Leverkusen’s iconic black and red palette. Classic alternating stripes? Not this time. Instead, the new look is driven by a modern visual language: red vertical lines built from a fade of individual dots, dissolving effortlessly into a jet-black base. The result? A contemporary silhouette with unmistakable Leverkusen DNA.
The design takes inspiration straight from home—the towering 30-foot neon Bayer-Kreuz, a glowing monument in the heart of the city that’s stood watch over the club for generations. That same energy pulses through this kit, made for a side that refuses to be static.
Every detail is locked into that same high-impact aesthetic. The club crest, NB logo, and player names and numbers are all rendered in pure red, creating a look that’s clean, sharp, and unmistakably Werkself. The shirt is paired with black shorts and socks, completing a silhouette that oozes confidence and modernity.
“This is more than just a kit—it’s a statement of intent,” says Kenny McCallum, Senior Director of New Balance Football Product. “As our first design with Bayer 04 Leverkusen, we wanted to capture the essence of the club and the energy of its supporters while pushing boundaries through bold design. This jersey reflects our shared ambition and the start of an exciting new era.”
It’s not just a new shirt. It’s a new chapter. The launch marks the first official release since the club announced its multi-year partnership with New Balance in February 2025. As part of the deal, the brand will supply performance and lifestyle gear to all club teams—from the men’s and women’s first XIs to youth sides, esports squads and even the club’s track & field athletes.
Markus Breglec, Bayer 04’s Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, adds: “Our new home shirt is the symbol of this new beginning for us as a club, bringing together the design power and innovative craftsmanship of New Balance with the spirit of our club and the inspiration of our fans. We can’t wait to kick off the new season and see it on all the Werkself teams under the cross.”
The New Balance Bayer 04 Leverkusen Home Kit is available to purchase at newbalance.com/football
