FC Bayern Munich Announces Viessmann Generations Group as New Shareholder.

Roger Hampel

Image: Suarav Rastogi/Unsplash

FC Bayern Munich has announced that Viessmann Generations Group will become a shareholder in FC Bayern München AG, acquiring a stake of just under 6.7% through a capital increase that will strengthen the Bundesliga club's equity base.

The transaction will bring a fourth minority shareholder into Bayern's ownership structure, while FC Bayern München eV retains its controlling 70% stake. The three existing external shareholders (Adidas AG, Audi AG and Allianz SE) will each hold just under 7.8% following completion.

Max Viessmann, Chief Executive Officer of the family-owned industrial group, is also expected to join Bayern's supervisory board, which will expand from nine to ten members.

The investment builds on a commercial relationship dating back to 2018 and will focus on sustainability, internationalisation and digitalisation. The agreement will take effect once the capital increase has been registered in the commercial register.

Bayern Strengthens Equity Base While Retaining Member Control FC Bayern

The investment is intended to provide FC Bayern with additional financial flexibility while maintaining its existing ownership principles.

The club's members' association will continue to control 70% of the company, preserving its position as majority shareholder.

For Bayern, the capital increase provides an opportunity to reinforce its balance sheet without relinquishing control to external investors.

Herbert Hainer, President of FC Bayern München eV and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FC Bayern München AG, said the investment would strengthen the club's ownership structure and provide greater flexibility.

"A further substantial strengthening of our equity base also gives us greater flexibility in a time of constant change."

The agreement also reflects Bayern's preference for long-term strategic shareholders with established commercial relationships with the club.

Viessmann Partnership Evolves From Sponsorship to Equity Investment

Viessmann's entry into Bayern's shareholder structure follows an existing relationship between the two organisations.

The partnership began in 2018 as a brand sponsorship and subsequently developed into a broader global climate partnership.

The new agreement extends that relationship into corporate ownership, giving Viessmann a financial interest in the club's long-term development.

The companies intend to focus their collaboration on sustainability, internationalisation and digitalisation, areas where Viessmann's industrial and international business experience could support Bayern's wider operations.

Max Viessmann already serves on the advisory committee of FC Bayern München eV, providing an existing connection to the club's governance structure.

His expected appointment to the supervisory board of FC Bayern München AG would formalise that involvement at company level.

The supervisory board will expand from nine to ten members following the transaction.

Viessmann Brings International Industrial Experience

Viessmann Generations Group is an independent, fourth-generation German family business with operations in more than 40 countries.

The group employs approximately 6,000 people across its industrial core and generates annual revenue of around €2 billion.

Its activities include cold room and cleanroom solutions, local and district heating, and power grid infrastructure supply.

The company has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, including the sale of its Climate Solutions business to US-based Carrier Global in 2024.

Since that transaction, Viessmann has continued developing its remaining industrial activities while expanding into additional areas connected to energy infrastructure.

The group also invests in technology companies, including German aerospace business Isar Aerospace.

Its investment in FC Bayern therefore adds a major European football organisation to a portfolio of industrial, technology and sports-related interests.

Max Viessmann Expected to Join Supervisory Board

Max Viessmann has been involved in the family business operationally since 2015 and became CEO in 2017.

His work has included digital transformation and the development of the group's international business activities.

At Bayern, his expected supervisory board appointment will give the new shareholder representation within the club company's governance structure.

Max Viessmann, CEO of Viessmann Generations Group, said:

"As a fourth-generation family business, we want to contribute both capital and our entrepreneurial experience to the collaboration."

He described the investment as a continuation of the relationship established between the two organisations in 2018.