1. FSV Mainz 05 is celebrating its 120th anniversary with much fanfare, including the unveiling of a new team bus, a Setra TopClass S 517 HDH, which will transport the players to their upcoming games. The new bus made its debut on March 15, 2025, during the club's anniversary home match against SC Freiburg.
The team bus was presented by Timo and Mirco Bohr, the managing directors of Bohr Omnibus GmbH. In conjunction with the unveiling, the two organizations extended their partnership, ensuring that the transportation contract covers all performance teams for Mainz 05 until 2029, alongside providing shuttle services for fans and advertising engagements during Bundesliga home games at the Mewa Arena.
Christian Heidel, the Sports Director of Mainz 05, praised the longstanding collaboration, emphasizing, "Bohr delivers us safe and reliable transport for our teams and fans with modern coaches, and he is a faithful partner from our region." The bus will replace the previous team bus but will remain available for transporting junior performance teams and women's football and handball squads.
The new team bus is well-equipped with advanced features, providing a comfortable environment for players. Equipped with a Mercedes Benz OM 471 inline six-cylinder engine providing 375 kW/510 hp, it features an automated GO 250-8 MPS eight-speed gearbox, plus an array of assistance systems including ABA 6, traffic sign recognition, and a 360° camera.
Additionally, the interior is designed for comfort, featuring eight vis-à-vis club table seats, 26 seats with adjustable headrests and leg rests, a hot drinks station, and four fold-out television screens. The bus also integrates modern WLAN and multimedia technology, offering DAB+ digital radio reception, Bluetooth audio streaming, a satellite navigation system, a touchscreen, and voice control.
As the club celebrates new infrastructure, they are also focused on their player roster. Notably, the promising midfielder Kaishu Sano, 24, has garnered attention from larger clubs but is assuredly staying at Mainz 05 for the next season. Sports director Niko Bungert stated, "Kaishu has incredible potential to become a player who plays for a really big club," while also highlighting that he should continue to stabilize in the Bundesliga as he adapts after moving continents.
Sano's contract runs until 2028, allowing Mainz to retain one of its emerging stars amid increasing interest. Bungert asserted that the club is not reliant on selling players, particularly following the significant income of €31.5 million from last summer's sale of Brajan Gruda to Brighton & Hove Albion.
"We have no player that we need to let go, and we can say 'No' to any offer due to our strong position," Bungert explained, adding that player movement is generally expected in the transfer market, making retention a priority for the club.
Meanwhile, another of Mainz’s standout players, Jonathan Burkardt, is enjoying the season of his life, drawing attention from several top clubs including five from the Premier League. As interest in Burkardt grows, it highlights the dual challenge that Mainz faces—developing their talent while also keeping them from the clutches of bigger teams.
In a vibrant season filled with both celebration and competition, 1. FSV Mainz 05 stands at an exciting crossroads, leveraging new resources while challenging themselves to retain key players in their quest for success. As they move forward, all eyes will be on how they continue to evolve in the Bundesliga landscape, both on and off the pitch.
With their new team bus and renewed partnerships in hand, Mainz 05 seems poised not only to maintain their standing in the league but also to aim higher, ensuring that fans see a club ready to grow and succeed.
