
Kai ‘DETO’ Wollin (PlayStation 4) and Fabian ‘B04_DUBZJE’ de Cae (XBOX ONE) qualified for the finals tournament thanks to impressive performances that saw them end third in the Club Championship. The finals will also be played in the so-called 85 mode this year where all the teams have the playing ability level of 85 and therefore have equal chances. The 24 qualifiers – twelve from the Club Championship, twelve via play-offs – play into groups of six per console. The best four players in a group go through to the Round of 16.
The previous league matchday is now almost four months ago. The anticipation is very, very big. I'm looking forward to finally being able to perform again," said B04_DUBJZE ahead of Wednesday’s start in the group stage on 24 June (from 18.00 CET/live on Twitch: b04eSports). The 22-year-old Xbox player has been drawn in an extremely high quality group on paper: In the group stage, De Cae will be playing against the reigning German champion ‘MEGABIT’ (Bremen), ‘XIMPACT10’ (Fürth) and ‘DULLENMIKE’ (Wolfsburg). "It won't be an easy task," said the Werkself player. "But if I'm able to rediscover my performance levels from the Club Championship then it's very possible to at least get through the group stage."
His counterpart on PlayStation 4 also highlights the quality of the opposition. "All the participants deserve to be here – they're the best players in Germany in the 85 mode," said 'DETO'. "Therefore it depends on who's on top form on the day and is able to produce their best performances."
The Black and Red duo on the consoles do have title ambitions after their impressive performances in the Club Championship. De Cae: "We'd be really happy if one of us can win a title for Leverkusen."
The dates of the VBL Grand Final:
24.06. – Group stage (18.00 CET / live on Twitch: b04esports)
25.06. – Round of 16 & quarter-finals (18.00 CET / live on Twitch: b04esports)
28.06. – Semi-finals & final (12.00 CET / live on ProSieben Maxx)

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
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
Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
Show more
New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
Show more