Both the match director and the DFB fixtures committee had previously rejected the application from Leverkusen at the same time as the Association approved an identical application from Bayern Munich for the postponement of the DFB Cup second round tie at Holstein Kiel.
This means the cup tie between Bayer 04 and Eintracht Frankfurt will now be played in Leverkusen on 12 January 2021 at 20.45 CET instead of on 23 December 2020. Rudi Völler, sporting managing director: "With this decision, the Federal Tribunal has accepted our idea of the principle of fair play and equal treatment for both clubs heavily involved in European competitions. As the cup opposition involved, Eintracht Frankfurt always gave us their support through Axel Hellmann and Fredi Bobic. Eintracht have shown a wonderful approach, which we are all profoundly grateful for."
Fernando Carro, CEO: "Looking at the last Bundesliga fixture of the year, where we play Munich in Leverkusen, there is now an equality of opportunity as we no longer have to take account of the cup tie due to be played on 23 December. I know from conversations with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that he, as the representative of Bayern Munich, also believed the equal treatment of both clubs was important."
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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