The rebuilding of the Werkself home ground started just before Christmas in 2007. The new stadium had a capacity of over 30,000 and a unique roof construction, new levels in the stands and exclusive VIP areas to provide a fitting stage for a host of great moments of football. Ultras and visiting fans, company directors and families are all equally welcome at Bayer 04.
The 2009/10 season started with a 1-0 away win for the Black and Reds in the first round of the DFB Cup at the then Regional League outfit SV Babelsberg 03. And the team led by head coach Jupp Heynckes were also on the road on Bundesliga matchday one: The game at FSV Mainz 05 ended in a 2-2 draw. But then it was finally time – in the third match of the new season, Simon Rolfes, Stefan Kießling and Co. were able to play at their new stadium. 28,000 fans made their way to Bismarckstraße and there were queues at the entrances. A banner bearing the words ‘home sweet home’ adorned the North Stand - goose bumps by the River Dhünn!
The Werkself quickly took control of the home game against TSG Hoffenheim and penned the opposition in their own half. But the attack were unable to create any clear-cut chances. That changed in the middle of the second half: Renato Augusto was under no pressure when he played a pass to Eren Derdiyok who back-heeled the ball to Kießling who was just a fraction quicker than his TSG opponent Josip Simunic - 1-0 (67’). The first win of the season was clocked up.
Bayer 04 finished fourth in the Bundesliga in 2009/10. Memories remain of qualification for the Europa League as well as special moments at the ‘new’ BayArena...
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Adler - Castro (Schwaab 80’), Friedrich, Hyypiä, Kadlec - Vidal, Rolfes - Renato Augusto (Kroos 88’), Barnetta (Zdebel 88’) - Derdiyok, Kießling
TSG Hoffenheim: Hildebrand - Beck, Simunic, Compper, Ibertsberger - Carlos Eduardo, Vorsah (Wellington 74’), Salihovic - Obasi, Ibisevic (Ba 59’), Maicosuel (Vukcevic 46’)
Goals: Kießling (67’)
Booked: Kadlec, Vidal, Adler - Vorsah, Ibisevic
Referee: Peter Gagelmann (Bremen)
Attendance: 28,000
The Werkself host Eintracht Frankfurt at the BayArena on Matchday 3 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. Kick-off is at 20:30 CEST on Friday, 12 September. Information on ticket sales.
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The Werkself host Borussia Mönchengladbach at the BayArena on Matchday 4 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. Kick-off is at 17:30 CEST on Sunday, 21 September. Information on ticket sales.
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The traditional fan club meeting at the BayArena was held again this year. Management, coaches and players from Bayer 04 faced questions from over 400 fans on Saturday, 9 August in joint preparation for the new season. The key statements.
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The Werkself fell to defeat in their final friendly match of pre-season. The Black and Reds suffered a 2-0 (H-T: 1-0) defeat at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge. The hosts scored the first goal early on, with Estevao converting a rebound off the crossbar in the 18th minute. The second half was dominated by numerous substitutions on both sides, but the Blues still managed to increase their lead in the closing stages through Joao Pedro, who made it 2-0 in stoppage time (90’+1).
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