The opening fixtures in the play-offs, to be played using the FIFA Ultimate Team online friendly format, involve the Xbox players. Fabian ‘B04_DUBZJE’ De Cae and his rivals start on Saturday, 15 May at 13.00 CEST in the first of four Swiss Rounds on the day.
One round consists of first and second legs with the goals scored combined. If the scores are level after the two 90-minutes then the winner will be determined in extra time and on penalties if required. The first Swiss Round for the PlayStation 4 players starts at 17.30 CEST on Saturday night. Kai ‘DETO’ Wollin and Marc ‘MARC_LDW23’ Landwehr will represent the Werkself.
The fifth Swiss Round is on Sunday, 16 May, and is followed by the knockout stages (Round of 32 & Round of 16). The kick-off for competitors on both formats is at 17.00 CEST. All players with a maximum of two defeats after five Swiss Rounds will progress to the knockout phase. The winners of the Round of 16 matches will go through to the VBL Grand Final.
Details of the tournament mode of the VBL play-offs can be found HERE.
Xbox:
Saturday, 15 May:
Sunday, 16 May:
PlayStation 4:
Saturday, 15 May:
Sunday, 16 May:
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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