Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen is set to make history by becoming the first club from the German league to hold a pre-season training camp in South America. The team will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a visit spanning July 14 to 24, 2025.
Preparing under the theme “Esquenta!” (meaning `warm up`), Leverkusen will utilize Flamengo`s “Ninho do Urubu” (Eagle`s Nest) training center located in the Vargem Grande area to get ready for the upcoming season. The schedule for the 2023/24 double winners also includes media appearances, a significant friendly game, and events featuring former Brazilian players associated with Bayer.
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes commented on the tour: “We are eagerly anticipating an intense start to our preparation period in an exciting and entirely new setting. The weather during this time of year is perfect, and the facilities at Flamengo`s training complex are superb. Furthermore, the passion for football in Brazil is unmatched and truly motivating – it should help us revitalize ourselves for the next Bundesliga season.”
Leverkusen has actively cultivated ties with Brazil recently. The club visited the country during their 2024 Trophy Tour. They also launched digital platforms in Portuguese (Instagram, website, WhatsApp) in May 2025 and revealed plans for the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Sao Paulo. This academy, set to open in July 2025, will be managed by Paulo Sérgio, one of the twenty Brazilian footballers who have played for Bayer.
According to Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro, “This training camp in Brazil marks the primary highlight of our many initiatives in the Brazilian market, a strategy arguably unique in the Bundesliga. Building on last year`s trophy tour, the introduction of new Portuguese digital channels, the football academy led by club icon Paulo Sérgio, and now the training camp, we are deepening our distinct relationship with this key market.”
This Brazil tour will be Leverkusen`s first pre-season under their new head coach Erik ten Hag, who replaced Xabi Alonso upon his departure to former club Real Madrid in May. The team, who were the 2023/24 double winners and Bundesliga champions, finished runners-up last season, trailing Bayern Munich by 13 points. They are scheduled to restart competitive play in the DFB Cup`s first round from August 15-18, followed by the commencement of their Bundesliga season a week later.
