The stadium opens two hours before kick-off at 11.00 CET. At the same time, the Christmas market on the piazza in the West Stand at the BayArena will be open to anyone with a ticket for the friendly against FC Zürich. Tickets for the match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium include a free non-alcoholic drink. Further information on ticket sales can be found HERE.
Running order:
11.15 CET - Opening matches
12.15 CET - Warm-up routine for pro teams
12.30 CET - Premium Lounge opens with games for children and families
12.45 CET - Management message to fans
13.00 CET - Friendly against FC Zürich kicks off
13.45 CET - Tribute to 26 fan clubs during half-time
14.45 CET - Full-time in friendly against FC Zürich
Bayer 04 fans can enjoy a varied programme after the friendly against FC Zürich as well. There are free stadium tours for ticket holders from 16.00 CET starting at the VIP entrance in the West Stand at the BayArena. The tour includes being pitch side on the way to the Mixed Zone and the dressing room area at the BayArena. One special highlight: Bayer 04 fans can also board the Werkself team bus during the tours.
Also at 16.00 CET, there is a 90-minute autograph session in conference rooms two and three in the West Stand at the BayArena. Beginning at the same time is an exclusive press conference for members of the Bayer 04 Club with head coach Xabi Alonso and Werkself stalwart Karim Bellarabi in the press conference room at the BayArena. At 16.45 CET there will be a 90-minute exclusive press conference for members of the Löwenclub and Teens Club also in the press conference room.
The action packed day is rounded off by carol singing on the piazza at the West Stand at the BayArena from 17.45 CET. The event ends at 18.30 CET.
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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