
Who are 'goolkids'?
The goolkids Society from Bamberg - Stefan Kießling's hometown - functions as a network between children, clubs, schools, associations and sponsors to provide a bridge between people in need and people offering support. The aim is to integrate socially disadvantaged teenagers regardless of background by providing integration through sport.
Stefan Kießling, a goolkids ambassador, said of his commitment: "When it's about kids you can always help – 365 days a year."
Collection point project
Amongst a range of different projects there are collection points: Parents and children can help by taking sports kit (shirts, shorts, boots, training kits), that they have grown out of, to local collection points. Thanks to these donations socially disadvantaged teenagers can join in with a goolkids sports event or at a club and make contacts. If any sports kit is left over it will be collected centrally and given away to youngsters in need and excess funds will be donated to poor countries.
Do you want to donate sports kit? You can hand in your kit at the following locations: The collection points are available from Monday 11 September to 29 September 2017 at the Kurtekotten Academy, the Service Centre East at the BayArena on Bismarckstraße as well as at the Fan House on Breidenbachstraße and the Fan Container (on matchdays).


A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
Show more
The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
Show more
Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
Show more
For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
Show more
European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
Show more