A first highlight of Bayer 04's Mexico Tour 2022: The Werkself play Mexican top-flight club Deportivo Toluca on Tuesday 17 May at the Estadio Nemesio Diez. The venue has a capacity of 30,000 and is not far away from the biggest Bayer site in Mexico.
The Werkself Woman's team will play a Club América side at the legendary Aztec Stadium in Mexico City a few weeks later. Club América are one of the biggest clubs in the country and are currently fourth in the MX Femenil league.
While the team led by coach Achim Feifel will be in Mexico from 11 to 16 July, the squad under head coach Gerardo Seoane will fly out the day after the last game of the season against SC Freiburg (14 May) and will be in the country from 15 to 20 May.
"We are extremely happy to be part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Bayer Mexico," said Fernando Carro, the Bayer 04 CEO. "Over recent years we have worked hard to increase our international profile. On the one hand, we have created a base with more than 8 million digital fans and followers worldwide. At the same time we have continued to strengthen and extend the outstanding connections to Bayer AG. The immediate result is this fantastic alliance with Bayer Mexico."
Carro, who took part in a press conference on Tuesday on the announcement of the partnership, added: "At this point, I would like to thank the management of Bayer Mexico for enabling us to take part in the celebrations with our teams as Bayer ambassadors. I'd also like to thank the management of Deportivo Toluca, Club América and the Mexican league. We are looking forward to an exciting and hopefully long-term partnership."
The Mexico Tour 22 is Leverkusen's first trip to North and Central America since the Florida Cup in 2017. In that January, Bayer 04 first drew 1-1 with the Argentinian club Estudiantes and then beat the Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro from Belo Horizonte 1-0. For the Bayer 04 Women's team this will be the first trip over the Atlantic Ocean. After the best Bundesliga season to date in 2020/21, which ended with the Leverkusen Women's team in fifth place, the women are looking to finish in the top six again this season and also reach the final of the DFB Cup for the first time in the club's history. Achim Feifel's team play Turbine Potsdam in the semi-final in Leverkusen on Easter Monday, 18 April.
Bayer 04 have a long and successful history of players from North, Central and South America. The Brazilian player Tita was the first to come over the pond in 1987 and a year later he won the UEFA Cup with Leverkusen. Since then over 40 players from the two continents have made their way under the Bayer Cross. That includes two Mexicans: Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (2015-17) and Andres Guardado (2014), who together made 89 appearances and scored 39 goals for the Black and Reds.
The Werkself tour will not only include a friendly fixture. A range of marketing and PR events in the Mexican capital have been planned as well as discussions with representatives of the Mexican league and individual clubs. There will also be a cultural programme as well as visits to community facilities. Carro: "Tours to football mad countries like Mexico strengthen intercultural exchange and also help to promote the Bundesliga abroad. We are very proud that our Women's team will be a crucial part of this partnership."
Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes knows "to very much value the opportunity for our young team. This tour, including the match in Toluca, will be a special experience for our players – and not just on the pitch. The experiences will also help them to develop as a team and as individuals."
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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