“We started the project in 2015 and have held it in Cologne five times. There is always great demand and that’s why we start selling tickets for the following year immediately after the event,” explained Ralf Becker from the organisers DuMont LiveKon. “We started taking advance bookings for the event in Leverkusen today. We’ve already sold 2,500 without any real advertising.”
Stefan Kießling, on behalf of the Bayer 04 management, is already looking forward to the singing at his sporting home: “It will be a beautiful, pre-Christmas celebration for all our guests,” said the former striker who often sings Christmas carols with his children. “We’ve got a special playlist for that. And as soon as the festive season arrives, the requests start coming from the back of the car.”
Choir director Michael Kokott can hardly wait for the event either: “In contrast to the title of the event, there are no Rhineland songs on the night but rather classic and international Christmas carols.” The communal pre-Christmas event brings generations together and it provides its own “personal stamp” to a reflective, family atmosphere. This will help to transform the stadium into a cathedral. “The public are the star at this event and they are centre-stage. Every visitor is cordially invited to join in with the singing,” said Kokott.
Song sheets will be provided and the words projected on screens in the stadium. The music group ‘Loss mer Weihnachtsleeder singe’ will be joined by the Bayer AG choir and St. Stephan’s youth choir. Any other choirs interested in taking part are welcome to contact the organisers.
The event on 21 December starts at 19.00 CET, doors open at 17.00 CET. Tickets are available from €5 plus booking fee at www.koelnticket.de.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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