On paper, the chances of the Black and Reds securing victory number 04 of the season are not so bad: The Werkself have only lost three of the 20 league meetings with Hoffenheim – Bayer 04 do not have a similar win ratio against any other team in the league (70 per cent) and an equally high points average (2.25 points). And: Hoffenheim have not lost more often to any other Bundesliga team (14 times, as against Bayern Munich). Moreover: The Werkself have scored 43 goals (conceded 20) in their 20 games against TSG – on average more than against any other club in the Bundesliga. But beware: TSG have won two of their three victories at the BayArena with the last one two years ago in October 2016. That's definitely enough for the time being.
A home win would be really good after the games against Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96. As it stands, the current return of 04 points from 04 home games is the worst since 04×04 years (2002/03). In addition, the Werkself have already conceded nine goals at the BayArena – there have never been that many in the first 04 home games before now. All the better, that Heiko Herrlich has never lost against Julian Nagelsmann as a coach (one win, one draw). And he has never lost against TSG.
The matchday hashtag #B04TSG has been in much demand at the Bayer 04 HQ this week. The Hoffenheim matchday is a double home matchday for the Black and Reds. Or put another way: Two matches against Hoffenheim. In addition to the Werkself fixture, the Bayer 04 women's team are playing Hoffenheim in the women's Bundesliga on Saturday (kick-off: 12.30 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium). The Bayer 04 women will need maximum support from the Bayer 04 fans against the team currently lying in fifth position. For that reason, the west side of the BayArena will be open from midday. And it will certainly be good for us if Hoffenheim go home empty-handed.
The recent upturn for the Werkself is closely associated with one name: Karim Bellarabi. After a difficult season last term the Werkself number 38 has rediscovered his previous strengths. We'll be happy if Karim – as Heiko Herrlich announced – "can show everybody that he still hungry": He has an impressive return from the last four games with six goals and two assists.
Julian Brandt has also been impressive. The Man of the Match from the Gladbach game also made a powerful contribution to the match at Bremen with a goal and an assist. It was also the first goal of the season for the Werkself number 10. And now one for the history books. The 22-year-old has scored at least one goal in all of his six seasons in the Bundesliga – no other Bayer 04 player has achieved that before their 25th birthday (Herbert Wass and Gonzalo Castro). Moreover: After the game Jule will be calling into the Schwadbud: He will be at the #W11Fantalk, where he will be analysing the 90 minutes against Hoffenheim with stadium announcer Tobias Ufer and others. Do you have any questions for the Werkself number 10? If so, submit them via Facebook or Twitter (using the hashtag #W11Fantalk). It starts around 18.00 CET broadcast live on bayer04.de plus on our Facebook page.
At this point it is worth saying tickets are still available for the game. And information for everybody: As with every game there is the official live text commentary on bayer04.de and via our smart phone apps. Anybody wanting the stadium atmosphere with commentary (in German) there is the Werkself Radio. Before, during and after the game there is up-to-date information on the official social media chance of Bayer 04 – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – including line-ups, photos and the most important events during the game. The matchday hashtag is #B04TSG. The target is: Join together for the 04 win of the season. Come on, the Werkself!
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.
Show more
On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
Show more
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
