The background to the project is an application submitted by the German Football Museum to enter recreation grounds in the statewide register of intangible cultural heritage – and it was successful. In 2018, the North Rhine Westphalia ministry of education and cultural affairs recognised the recreation grounds as such. Intangible cultural heritage is seen as cultural forms of expression, which are passed on and shaped from generation to generation. That includes traditions, performing arts but also special knowledge and rituals – and now also the culture of recreation grounds.
The recreation ground should above all be a freely accessible venue for fairness, tolerance and integration according to Manuel Neukirchner. "It's a place of social and group conduct, a place to learn without adults," said the director of the German Football Museum in Dortmund. "Regardless of religion, skin colour or gender, you can learn how to recognise rules, resolve conflict but also discover spontaneity and autonomy. Values and norms that are more present and more important than ever before in today's society. That's what football and especially the recreation ground can provide."
The sign to the Boberstraße recreation ground and twelve other signs to Leverkusen pitches should immediately highlight the award and provide an active contribution to the maintenance of recreation grounds in the city. These facilities are increasingly threatened by the changed user behaviour of children and teenagers, numerous alternative leisure activities as well as the expansion of all-day schools.
Stefan Kießling, who played for Bayer 04 for twelve years making a total of 404 Bundesliga appearances, can still vividly remember his own past on the recreation ground: "Since I was able to run I spent my time on the recreation ground and loved it. After school I got home as quickly as possible, did my homework and then got on my bike to the recreation ground," explained the now 37-year-old who grew up in Bamberg in Franconia. "You didn't need a mobile phone back then. I knew exactly that I'd always meet somebody there who I knew."
Kießling is convinced that his time on the recreation ground shaped him as a player and as a person. He is now working as coordinator for the first team at Bayer 04: "When you were younger you obviously had to show more deference. But the older you got, the more you could set the rules for yourself. And, above all, you learned to resolve friction yourselves. Not to forget: I’ve still got the scars on my legs."
The target of the initiative is to be part of a nationwide register in the future. The closing date is 30 November. Up to then, the German Football Museum is working with the Ruhrmuseum in Essen and the Sports University in Cologne to provide the required academic evidence for the cultural significance of the recreation grounds to then be recognised as a national cultural heritage. The decision is due to be made at the start of next year.
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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