Opposition is provided by two top South American clubs in Estudiantes de La Plata from Argentina and Club Atlético Mineiró from Brazil.
Bayer 04 enjoyed perfect conditions in Orlando in 2015 and 2016 and the Werkself will again be based at the Hotel Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. At the start of this year the Werkself played Santa Fe (Colombia) and SC Internacional (Brazil). A 1-0 win against Santa Fe was followed in the second match by a 3-3 draw with SC Internacional.
Werkself striker Chicharito, who was followed by several hundred fans at the training camp, scored two goals in the tournament and was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2016 Florida Cup.
In addition to Bayer 04, Estudiantes de La Plata and Clube Atlético Mineiró, the third tournament in 2017 also involves VFL Wolfsburg, FC Corinthians, Flamengo (both from Brazil), Barcelona SC (Ecuador) plus the Tampa Bay Rowdies from the American Major League Soccer.
The first opponent for the Werkself next year will be Estudiantes de La Plata on eight January at 14.00 (local time) at the A1 Lang Stadium in Tampa. In 2009 the club won the Copa Libertadores de América, the most important club competition in South America, and they currently lead the Primera Divisíon in Argentina ahead of Boca Juniors.
Clube Atlético Mineiró are the second opponents for Bayer 04 on 11 January at 19.00 (local time) in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Stadium. In 2013 Atletico Mineiró won the Copa Libertadores, in 2014 club lifted the Recopa Sudamericana and went on to win the domestic cup competition in Brazil. This season the team is currently fourth in the Brazilian top-flight. One of the stars of the team is the former Brazil international and Real Madrid striker Robinho.
The Bayer 04 women’s team secured a win in the friendly during the international break. Without a total of eight international players, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team defeated Bundesliga 2 side Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre, thanks to goals from Lobke Loonen (1’, penalty), Caroline Kehrer (41') and Valentina Mädl (66').
Show more
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
Show more
During the first international break of the 2026/27 season, set to last just under three weeks, nine Bayer 04 first-team players are in action with their respective national teams. Read on for updates on matches featuring Werkself players…
Show more
Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
Show more
