The winter break starts after matchday 17 (20 - 22 December 2019) and ends on 17 January 2020. In addition, the DFL Supercup (3/4 August 2019) and the framework dates for the DFB Cup. The first round of the DFB Cup will be played from 9 to 12 August 2019 with the final on 23 May 2020, as ever at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
As part of Bundesliga matchday 14, the DFL and the German Football Association (DFB) are saying "Thanks to the volunteers". Bayer 04 are also involved around the game against FC Augsburg on Saturday (kick-off 15.30 CET) with events including the presentation of the two winners of the twelfth Bayer 04 Volunteers Award. Under the motto "Matter of the heart", the work of over 1.7 million volunteers was honoured for their commitment to football for the 21st time at games in the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2, Third Division and the Women's Bundesliga.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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