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
Women - 11.07.2025
First goal for Fudalla: Women's friendly against Zwolle ends all square
The second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').
Show more
eSports - 11.07.2025
#B04eSports: Landwehr cousins Landwehr agree two-year extension
Continuity under the Cross: After the successful season in 2024/25 with reaching the final of the VBL Club Championship, the two Leverkusen e-sports players Marc and Sean Landwehr have extended their contracts at Bayer 04 by an additional two years. Marc is thereby in his sixth year and Sean in his third year with the Werkself. Together with e-talent Marcus Hüttemann, who has also extended his stay at Bayer 04 Bayer year, completes the current squad for the 2025/26 season.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 11.07.2025
Bayer 04 sign striker Christian Kofane from Albacete
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed centre forward Christian Kofane. The 18-year-old Cameroonian joins Leverkusen from Spanish second tier club Albacete on a contract to 30 June 2029.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 11.07.2025
Bold design in colours of the city: Bayer 04 and New Balance present 2025/26 away jersey
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will wear the new away kit for the 2025/26 season at the start of the training camp in Brazil. In conscious contrast to the international aspect of this year's training camp in Rio de Janeiro, kit supplier New Balance has designed a jersey for the Werkself players and all other Bayer 04 teams with distinct links to home.
Show more
