
The Bayer 04 v Lotte tie is a repeat of last season's first-round meeting that the Werkself won 3-0 thanks to goals from Kießling, Calhanoglu and Bender.
In this season's first round Bayer 04 won 2-1 at fifth tier SC Hauenstein. Lotte produced a sensational upset in their opening tie against Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. The team, including former Bayer 04 keeper Benedikt Fernandez, were champions of the Regional League West and thereby achieved promotion to division three. Currently they are ninth in the table with five points from four games.
The second round ties will be played on 25 and 26 October. 16 Bundesliga clubs are still in the competition with only RB Leipzig (6-5 defeat on penalties against Dynamo Dresden) and Werder Bremen (21 defeat away to Sportfreunde Lotte) going out in first round. 13 teams from the second division are in the second round plus the two third division outfits Sportfreunde Lotte and Hallescher FC, and Regional League side FC Astoria Walldorf.


Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
Show more
Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
Show more
As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
Show more
The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
Show more