
On Saturday, 12 September, fans can look forward to a 90-minute live broadcast from 15.30 CET at bayer04.de and on the official Bayer 04 YouTube channel with a programme of black and red entertainment from the Schwadbud – the perfect introduction to the new season.
CEO Fernando Carro, head of the youth section Thomas Eichin, popular figure Ramazan ‘Rambo’ Özcan plus the Bayer 04 women’s team captain Jessica Wich and new signing Kristin Kögel will all be guests in the studio. They will not only field questions from the presenters Mara Mones and Cedric Pick but also show what they can do in an amusing studio challenge.
Viewers can also look forward to seeing new signing Patrik Schick take part in the popular ‘Black or Red’ format, sporting director Simon Rolfes, who will answer penetrating questions from fans, Bayer 04 legend Stefan Kießling in a completely unusual role, the Werkself first team who will send out warm greetings to the fans plus much more.
It is possible to join in the chat on the YouTube channel during the whole broadcast – comments will be worked into the broadcast and questions redirected to the studio guests.
The perfect introduction to the new season ahead of the opening fixture in the DFB Cup against Eintracht Norderstedt on Sunday, 13 September (15.30 CET).

Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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