"We are continually working on improving the comfort and service quality at the BayArena. The new system will considerably speed up the payment process and therefore benefit our fans," said Fernando Carro, chairman of the board at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Cashless payments will be accepted at all payment points and both contactless and usual methods are possible. Last season's trial run shows that this functions well and has been popularly received.
Also there will be no problem with the return of multi-use cups that are to be introduced from the start of the new season. A deposit of two euros will simply be credited to the EC or credit card used.
11,000 spectators at the Champions for Charity event on Sunday 21 July were able to use their preferred payment method at all the food and drink outlets at the BayArena. The next opportunity to test the new payment system is available to Bayer 04 fans on Sunday 4 August as part of the official season launch.
BayArena Card FAQs
What is the new payment system at the BayArena?
From the 2019/20 season, you can easily pay at all catering outlets at the BayArena with your Girocard or credit card just like you do at any other business premises. We take the money directly from your bank account. Also payment is possible via Apple Pay and Google Pay. You no longer need to load credit on your BayArena Card or your personal Girocard.
What does the new payment system offer me?
You have more options immediately: You save waiting time at the payment counters if you pay for your food and drink using Girocard, credit card or Apple and Google Pay. You no longer have to load credit onto your BayArena Card and you don't have to have a second thought about remaining credit. Also, fans who occasionally visit the BayArena do not have to take BayArena Cards with residual credit home with them.
My Girocard and credit card are contactless. Will they work at the BayArena?
Yes, you can make contactless payments at the BayArena. If your Girocard or credit card does not have the contactless facility that is not a problem either. You can insert your card to make payments at each outlet.
I don't have a Girocard or a credit card and do not use Google or Apple Pay. What options do I have?
If you do not have a Girocard or credit card and do not use Google or Apple Pay then you can use a BayArena Card for a deposit of €10 at one of the green payment counters. After the game, you can reclaim your credit and deposit at one of the payment counters.
I still have credit on my season/membership card. What can I do with that?
You can continue to load your season/membership card and use it for making payments. However, we recommending using the new payment methods. You can reclaim any remaining credit at one of our payment counters.
Can I continue to use the chip on my Girocard to make payments?
No, from the 2019/20 season you will no longer be able to make payments using the money chip on your Girocard. Loaded money chips will only be accepted with the BayArena Card. Have the remaining credit on your money chip paid out by your bank or just get it back from a payment counter on the lower tier at the BayArena.
Will I be able to load credit onto my season/membership card online in the future?
Loading credit online will no longer be possible from the 2019/20 season. Have you loaded credit onto your BayArena Card in the past and not used it? No problem! You can activate the credit at one of the payment counters or pay stations at the BayArena and then pay at one of the catering outlets using your BayArena Card.
What type of credit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa and MasterCard. Unfortunately we are not able to accept American Express at the moment.
Can I pay in cash at the BayArena?
No, it is no longer possible to pay with cash at the BayArena. If you only have cash on you, we recommend using our deposit card for €10 and loading the amount you require.
What do I do if something goes wrong?
Has something gone wrong with a payment? Or do you have any other questions relating to the payment system? Then contact us first. That is possible via email at info@bayer04.de or by phone on 0049 (0)214 5000 1904. We will be happy to help you.
Bayer 04 have comfortably reached the DFB Pokal second round thanks to a 4–0 victory away to Liga 3 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Patrik Schick put the Werkself ahead in the first 45 in the first competitive match under head coach Carles Martínez with debuts for new signings Miguel Gutiérrez, Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. After the break, Lucas Vázquez (47'), Nathan Tella (69') and Christian Kofane (79') also found the back of the net.
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Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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Bayer 04 start the 2026/27 season away to third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ahead of the DFB Pokal tie on Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez spoke at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The topics: anticipation, passion, the fans’ support – and the captaincy for the new season.
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