Berlin-Chemie Menarini has announced its sponsorship of 1. FC Union Berlin, beginning with the 2024/25 football season. The Berlin-Adlershof-based pharmaceutical company will become an “Irons’ Sponsor” (Eiserner Sponsor), a prestigious sponsorship tier in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top football league.

1. FC Union Berlin has been competing in the Bundesliga since 2019, and during the 2023/24 season, the club participated in the Champions League, marking it as one of Germany’s most prominent football teams. Berlin-Chemie, Menarini’s German subsidiary focused on Germany, Central and Eastern Europe as well as Central Asia, shares deep roots in the Berlin-Köpenick region, much like 1. FC Union Berlin, with both institutions boasting over a century of history.

The team plays its home matches at the historic “Alte Försterei” stadium, a venue cherished by a passionate fan base: the fans of 1. FC Union Berlin are known for their loyalty and dedication, even contributing to the club’s infrastructure. 

During the 2008/09 season, 2,333 volunteers worked over 140,000 hours to transform the “Alte Försterei” from a dilapidated structure into one of the most iconic stadiums in modern football. This dedication has made the club a key pillar of the Berlin community.

“Just as the 1. FC Union Berlin defines itself through its fans, we do so through our commitment to patients and the performances of our staff,” says Christina Weihmann from the HR Department, who was involved in agreeing the cooperation. 

Just like the 1. FC Union Berlin, Berlin-Chemie Menarini understands the importance of working for and with each other, and through this sponsorship the pharmaceutical company aims to strengthen its ties with the club, as well as to deepen connections with local communities.

Both organizations have strong ties to the local area and share values of humanity, solidarity, and cooperation in both sports and business. The partnership is designed to support local economic development, with a focus on social initiatives such as civic education, digital literacy, and career guidance.

The collaboration will also promote intergenerational exchange and network-building within the community. As part of the agreement, Berlin-Chemie Menarini will gain access to the club’s communication channels, allowing the company to engage directly with fans and stadium visitors through recruitment efforts.

Dr. Christian Matschke, Executive Board member of Berlin-Chemie, expressed his satisfaction with the new partnership: “We are delighted to have 1. FC Union Berlin as a reliable partner who shares our values and recognizes the potential of our shared region. This collaboration is not only an opportunity to fuel our passion for sport as part of a healthy life, but also to highlight our strength as a local employer. We are eager to continue tapping into local expertise to drive innovation and move forward as a company.”