It is 18 months ago since the last football coverage on RTL involving the Black and Reds (3-1 win at Rangers in March 2020). The Werkself were back on free to air TV for the game against Celtic – and that is again brought top viewing figures. The second half of #CELB04 was watched by more than 3 million viewers that represents a market share of 14.9%.
In the relevant target group (14 to 49 years of age) it was the top figure; no other broadcaster had more viewers after 20.15 CEST than RTL with #CELB04. Bayer 04 earned a convincing 4-0 win at Celtic Park, with goals from Piero Hincapie, Florian Wirtz, Lucas Alario and Amine Adli.
From the Europa League to the Bundesliga: The team under head coach Gerardo Seoane is back in action on Sunday night, 3 October (kick-off: 19.30 CEST) away to Armenia Bielefeld. One special difference will be apparent in the kit worn by the visitors from Leverkusen: Jonathan Tah and Co. will play in the black and red striped home shirt but with white shorts instead of the usual black ones. Now all the club colours are brought together…
Frank Kramer, coach of the team in sixteenth place in the league, challenged his players ahead of the clash with the second-place Leverkusen team: "We have to really work them over, we have to really get on their nerves." The 49-year-old can again bank on new signing Alessandro Schöpf after his recovery from a cold. In contrast, there are question marks over Jacob Laursen and Andres Andrade.
The Arminia head coach spoke ahead of the game about the Werkself youngster Florian Wirtz: “We Germans can be happy to have such a talent. But now our job is to make sure he doesn't show it on Sunday," said Kramer who is still without a win in the Bundesliga this season. The team of his opposite number Gerardo Seoane have "enormous quality in attack as you could see again in the game against Celtic."
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
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The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
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While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
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