#finallyRED
The club and fans are reviving a tradition to make it happen: ‘Finally Red’ – originally launched by the NK12 Fan Club. Since the Cup Final in 2009 the home end has regularly been turned into a sea of deep red. Eight years later, the intention is for every home supporters area at the BayArena to be in that colour. That’s why the fan organisations and the club are calling on everyone to wear red for Saturday’s derby at home to FC Köln. Replica shirts, pullovers, T-shirts, shirts or jackets – everybody will recognise support for the team straight away: For Bayer 04! For our SVB!
Bayer 04 lead in derby stats
Bayer 04 and FC Köln meet for Rhine derby number 60 in the Bundesliga. The previous 59 games have seen Bayer 04 win significantly more often than Köln: The Werkself have won 22 and the neighbours from Cologne 14 with 23 matches ending all square. The Werkself can extend that positive stat on Saturday basede on a particularly good record at home. Leverkusen have won 17 of the 32 matches with ten ending in draws.
Latest derby since 1988
It's a long time since the Werkself have played the team from Cologne so late in the season. To be exact, the last time was in May 1988 with the 2-2 draw ensuring the relegation of FC Köln.
Unique in the league
This fixture is unique in the whole of the Bundesliga. The BayArena and the Rhein Energie Stadium are just 14.6 km apart as the crow flies. No other two grounds are as close together.
Ever-present Bernd Leno
Bernd Leno has played every minute in the previous 32 matches this season. He shares the most time on the pitch with seven other ever-presents in the league and they are all goalkeepers. In addition to Bernd Leno, only Yann Sommer (Gladbach), Ralf Fährmann (Schalke), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Marwin Hitz (Augsburg), Rune Jarstein (Hertha) and Alexander Schwolow (Freiburg) have played every minute between the posts
Höger and Risse return to Leverkusen
The current FC Köln players Marco Höger and Marcel Risse started their careers at Leverkusen. Marco Höger played for Werkself youth teams from 2001 to 2005. His team-mate Marcel Risse also played for Bayer 04 youth sides winning the U19 German title in 2007 and the youth cup a year later in 2008. Höger could play against the Werkself on Saturday but Risse is unlikely to be in the squad as he is still recovering from a torn cruciate.
Bus stops changed
The stops for buses to Bergisch Gladbach and Mathildenhof after the game have been changed. Click here for new arrangements >> (PDF).
Live action on the Live app
The Bayer 04 live app, voted as one of the most innovative apps by a large app blog, will be full of derby information on Saturday. You can download the app to follow the Werkself home game wherever you are at bit.ly/b04live.
Calling all Werkself fans: Even during the three-week international break – a first for September and October – you have the chance to visit the BayArena – and for a very special occasion. Bayer 04 is hosting a Health Day on Saturday 3 October, from 10:00 to 14:00 CEST in the Premium Lounge. Together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, the Bundesliga club invites you to an interactive, free event centred on the theme of health. Partners will be present on site with their own exciting activities. Here is an overview of the programme of events.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-1 win at SC Freiburg on Matchday 5 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 produced an impressive display from start to finish as they maintained their perfect home record this season with a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 4. Patrik Schick opened the scoring just before half-time, with Miguel Gutiérrez getting his first Werkself goal to wrap up the three points at the BayArena, where fans also got to enjoy the family matchday activities.
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Peter Hermann passed away on Saturday at the age of 74. The entire Bayer 04 family is deeply saddened by the loss of a much-loved figure who helped shape football in Leverkusen over many decades. He was also one of the most respected coaches in the whole of Germany. Hermann had been suffering from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) for some time.
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