
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).

In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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Rieden reloaded: Just like last year, the Bayer 04 Women’s team are spending their summer training camp in this idyllic corner of Bavaria. From this Sunday, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team will be based in Rieden in the Upper Palatinate for a week.
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Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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