The trademark existed back in 1904 – the year Bayer 04 was founded. Back then, the 'Bayer Cross' replaced the lion as the logo of Bayer AG. Before the Second World War there was a Bayer Cross as a neon light in Leverkusen. It was set up in 1933 between two 126 metre tall chimneys of a power station and had a diameter of 72 metres. It was switched off in 1939 and dismantled in 1944. Today's Leverkusen neon light was installed in 1958. It shows the emblem of the Bayer company and hangs from two 118 metre tall steel masts. The diameter is 51 metres with a weight of 300 tons. The official opening was on 2 September.
A landmark that has a high emotional value for people from Leverkusen but also for Bayer 04 fans. "When we used to return from away games in the night you could see the cross from a long way away," said honorary captain Rüdiger Vollborn. "I always knew: We’ll be home soon." It was and is a privilege as well as a duty to wear the "cross on the chest."
Understanding but also annoyance – the management at Bayer 04 acknowledged with mixed feelings the decision of FIFA to extend the international breaks in September and October by two days each. The reason is understandable: The coronavirus pandemic caused postponement of World Cup qualifiers in South America in the autumn of 2020 in the spring of 2021. Those fixtures now need to be played. But the fact the third match in both phases is only played in the night from Thursday to Friday is "an extremely unsatisfactory situation," according to Rudi Völler in kicker.
Charles Aránguiz (with Chile) and Piero Hincapie (Ecuador) will definitely be sidelined. Due to the unfavourable flight connections, they cannot return to Leverkusen before the home game against Borussia Dortmund kicks off. Exequiel Palacios, who has a home game with Argentina, could make it in terms of time, but coach Gerardo Seoane will not take any unnecessary risks with the health of the players with only a one-day break. "We have to live with it," declared the Bayer 04 sporting managing director. "That can't happen again. That must be seen as a warning for FIFA."
At least the DFL appears to have taken account of the circumstances. The home game for the Werkself against Bayern Munich after the international break is on Sunday, 17 October.
He is a renowned knee specialist: Since 2012, Dr. Philipp Ehrenstein consultant at the Helios clinic in Krefeld has mainly been responsible for arthroscopic surgery on shoulders and knees plus ankles. The main focus of his work is on reconstruction of ligament injuries in the joints – including the anterior and posterior ligaments as well as meniscus surgery. After the Helios group was taken over by the St. Josef Hospital Uerdingen in Krefeld at the start of the year, the orthopaedic surgeon, who has worked for Bayer 04 since 2015, is now the senior doctor the newly founded sports clinic at the hospital. In the middle of the week there was the official opening for the new facility for competitive athletes. Jonathan Tah, who feels in good hands with Doc Ehrenstein.
More movement, a more active lifestyle, a healthy diet, losing weight sustainably: In September 2021, Bayer 04 start the next weekly 'Football fans in training' courses for women (from Tuesday, 28 September at 18.00 CEST) and the men (from Thursday, 30 September, at 19.04 CEST) under the motto "Your home game. Your club. Your health." Heavier Werkself fans have the opportunity to lose weight under professional direction.
There was a fantastic season last term with the Bayer Giants finishing runners-up in the basketball Bundesliga 2 ProA. Hardly anyone predicted the team under coach Hansi Gnad would finish near the top but Leverkusen were on a roll and beat favourites after favourites on the way to the final and only losing out to the champions from Heidelberg in the end. And as the many loyal fans from Leverkusen were unable to be at the Ostermann Arena due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Giants came up with a really special idea and produced a two-hour documentary about their spectacular season on their YouTube channel. The film provide exclusive recordings and insight behind the scenes of the special Leverkusen team and get you in the mood for more dunking and three-point strikes. It's worth a look.
The final whistle of the current 2025/26 season marks the end of a unique partnership for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. After more than three decades of collaboration and highly eventful times, the Bundesliga football club and the private brewery Bitburger are going their separate ways.
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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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