Season launch at BayArena on 13 August
Bayer 04 kick off the new campaign on Saturday 13 August at 12.30 with the season launch event at the BayArena.
This will be the first official Werkself launch at the home ground in nine years – this year it includes the final pre-season friendly against top opposition.
Spanish top-flight club Real Sociedad are the opponent's in a 14.30 kick-off. The club finished ninth in the Primers Liga last term and they played Bayer 04 in the group stage of the 2013/14 Champions League campaign. This match will be the final run-out for Roger Schmidt's team ahead of the DFB Cup Round One tie at fifth-tier SC Hauenstein the following weekend.
In addition to the match, there will plenty to excite and entertain the Werkself faithful in and around the BayArena. During half-time the Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade and sporting director Rudi Völler will take part in a Q&A session on the new season. One highlight is the presentation of the new Bundesliga squad including the introduction of the players. After the game there will be a big autograph session. This will be held inside the ground with access via the F1 entrance at 17.09 CET.
Looking forward to 80 million
Musical entertainment is provided by the current chart hit in Germany Max Giesinger who will perform his hit '80 million' on the concourse at the BayArena and there are also plenty of activities and fun for young and old alike.
Running order:
12.30 :BayArena opens
13.30 :Löwenclub match
14.00 :Max Giesinger sings
14.30 :Bayer 04 v Real Sociedad
Hi entertainment:
Q&A with Michael Schade and Rudi Völler
Radio Leverkusen ‘home anthem’
Fan game on the pitch
16.20 :Interview with Roger Schmidt
16.30 :'HanderCover' band on North Concourse
17.00 :Autograph session
Related News
Bayer 04 - 07.10.2026
BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou visits Leverkusen
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 07.10.2026
International roundup: Quansah plays full 90 minutes again – Medina features in Messi farewell match
During the first international break of the 2026/27 season, set to last just under three weeks, nine Bayer 04 first-team players are in action with their respective national teams. Read on for updates on matches featuring Werkself players…
Show more
Women - 06.10.2026
‘The standard is getting higher and higher: Junior Talent Day at Kurtekotten with 90 girls
Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
Show more
Women - 06.10.2026
Head-to-head battle for World Cup spot: Eight Bayer 04 women on international duty
Austria or Kosovo? Claudia Wenger or Lumbardha Misini? Only one of these two Bayer 04 women will see her dream of competing at the World Cup in Brazil (24 June to 25 July 2027) live on beyond the next two weeks. From a Leverkusen perspective, the two direct clashes between the Werkself players as they battle for a place in the second play-off round stand out during the upcoming international break. For several other players, the chance of a World Cup place is also at stake. Bayer04.de provides an overview of the women’s international call-ups.
Show more
