The Bayer Cross was first on the Werkself shirt in 1936 but as the group logo was already in the club logo, Bayer AG decided in 1990 to advertise their own products from the start of the New Year. The management swapped the the Bayer Cross for a colourful chameleon and the wording ‘Talcid’ and the heartburn treatment was advertised for five years. The Werkself played in the kit with advertising for the first time exactly 20 years ago on 23 February 1991 in a home game against Bayern Munich (final score 1-2).
That was followed by the Bayer products Alka Seltzer (1995-1997) and Aspirin (1997-2000). In 2000/01 Bayer 04 were the last German professional club to have an external sponsor on their shirt: RWE (2000-2007), TelDaFax (2007-2011), Sunpower (2011-2013), LG (2013-2016) and Barmenia (since 2016).
Following on from last month’s Sky TV programme ‘Stars of the Bundesliga’ featuring Lucas Alario, now it’s the turn of another Werkself player: Leon Bailey will be the focus of the 30-minute broadcast. The programme will go out on Thursday 25 February from 21.00 to 21.30 CET on Sport Bundesliga 1 and will then be available online to subscribers at sport.sky.de.
A joint campaign from the worlds of sport, culture and science has published a study in Berlin on the return of spectators at big events. 20 scientists from a range of disciplines, with the support of 40 cultural and sporting institutions have drawn up a three-stage plan for the gradual return of spectators. The campaign is also supported by big sports associations – including the German Football Association (DFB). The road map presents different models for indoor and outdoor events that involves a staged increase in spectators for each event. The aim of the campaign is not to put pressure on the politicians regarding the question of timing (“when”) but instead showing which measures can be successful (“how”).
Two former Bayer 04 players celebrate their birthdays on this Tuesday. Benjamin Henrichs (2004-2018 at Bayer 04) was born 24 years ago. The homegrown Leverkusen talent is currently on loan at RB Leipzig from AS Monaco and he is now playing alongside former Werkself player Kevin Kampl. Congratulations go in the direction of Saxony. Birthday greetings also go to Croatia. Kyriakos ‘Papa’ Papadopoulos (2014-17 including loans at Bayer 04) is currently at NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in the Croatian first division. He is now 29 years old. Many happy returns.
Carsten Ramelow started his success story under the Bayer Cross 25 years ago today: He made his debut in a Werkself shirt in the bundesliga home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 23 February 1996. The winter signing played the full 90 minutes in a match that ended in a goalless draw. That was followed by 436 more appearances for the Werkself. After hanging up his boots, he was the second Bayer 04 player after Ulf Kirsten to be named an honorary captain.
This Tuesday is the anniversary of another Black and Red historical event: Manuel Friedrich scored the only goal of the game on 85 minutes with a long-range effort against Schalke 04 on 23 February. The strike from the defender was long and unforgiving for the then Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer as it flew into the top corner – a sheer delight. That impressive shot was voted Goal of the Month in February 2008 by viewers of the Sportschau programme.
Video game developer Electronic Arts (EA), in collaboration with the Bundesliga, has announced the six nominees for the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for October 2026 – and Bayer 04’s Ibrahim Maza is among them. Fans of the Black and Reds can vote from now until Sunday 8 November (23:59 CET).
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On Tuesday night, the Leverkusen e-sports team played the first three of their six group stage matches in the second round of the 2026/27 VBL Club Championship. They were unable to secure more than a draw in either of their matches against FC Augsburg and VfB Stuttgart. The match against Bayern Munich ended in defeat.
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Once again, several Werkself players are set to represent their respective national teams during the final international break of the calendar year. Here is an overview of the Leverkusen players called up for international duty and the match dates. This will be updated regularly.
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The Bundesliga has announced the nominees for the ‘Top Goal of the Month’ award for October. Fans of the Werkself can now vote for, amongst others, Robert Andrich’s stunning volley from the match against Mainz 05 or Moussa Diaby’s curling shot into the top corner from the same fixture. Voting, exclusively on the Bundesliga app, remains open until Sunday, 8 November (23:59 CET).
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