2026 season launch blog: Fan highlights with players round off successful day

+++ 19:04: Full-time at the BayArena ⚫🔴🔚 +++

An eventful and successful day in Black and Red is drawing to a close. Satisfied and with the odd autograph card or two in their bags, the last of the Bayer 04 fans have left the BayArena. The team now have two friendlies in England (12 August against Nottingham Forest, 15 August against Newcastle United), the first-round DFB Pokal tie away at Wehen Wiesbaden (22 August) and the Bundesliga opener away to SV 07 Elversberg (29 August) ahead of them.

At the BayArena, Bayer 04 will be back in action against Union Berlin on Bundesliga matchday 2 (5 September), and the women’s team will return to the UHS for their match against VfL Wolfsburg on matchday 2 (30 August). And hopefully you’ll be there too – see you then!

+++ 18:00: Fun for fans with the players around the stadium 🤝🎤 +++

The season launch was far from over when the final whistle blew on the pitch. At various venues, exclusive events awaited the Werkself fans, giving them the chance to meet the Bayer 04 players up close. For example, Club members at the UHS took part in a crossbar challenge against Malik Tillman and Lobke Loonen, while others chatted with managing director sport Simon Rolfes and director of professional teams Thomas Eichin at the Schwadbud .

At the BarmeniaGothaer stand, Werkself supporters went head-to-head with Arthur and Lilla Turanyi in a Tic-Tac-Toe goal-shooting challenge, while other fans enjoyed food and drinks served by Aleix Garcia at the kiosk and a jersey printed by Charlotte Voll in the Fanwelt. In the Premium Lounge West, visitors spoke to Edmond Tapsoba about his documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’.

Anyone keen to get creative joined Patrik Schick and Loreen Bender at the Fankiste to design a giant cross. And anyone wanting to find out more about the new signings under the Cross could ask Afonso Moreira, Miguel Gutiérrez and Justine Brandau their questions in front of Block F1.

+++ 5.15 pm: Schick scores twice to secure second win 💪😍 +++

The men followed in the women’s footsteps and won their friendly match too. Thanks to two goals from Patrik Schick, the Werkself beat Sevilla 2–1, leaving plenty of happy faces at the BayArena. You can find the full match report HERE.

+++ 15:20: The boys are back 🔊🔥 +++

Things got noisy at the BayArena! For the first time in almost two months, the Bayer 04 first-team players stepped back onto the hallowed turf of the stadium. Introduced by Petra ‘Pitti’ Dahl and Tobias Ufer, the Werkself players emerged onto the pitch via a tunnel at the south-west corner of the Arena.

Dribbling maestro Ibrahim Maza was in for a special honour: he was voted Player of the Season for 2025/26 by the Bayer 04 fans, and now CEO Fernando Carro and managing director sport Simon Rolfes, together with Bayer 04 Club members, presented him with the award. Congratulations, Ibo!

Fancy watching the Werkself’s home debut live? You’ll find the live stream and live updates on Bayer04.de. Go on, lads, get that second win!

+++ 15:00: First win of the day ✔️ +++

And what a win! Our women thrashed Feyenoord 7–0 – thanks to goals from Cornelia Kramer (6’, 25’, 45’), Sofie Zdebel (47’), Maja Sternad (59'), Natasha Kowalski (83') and Vanessa Fudalla (86'). Well done, girls! Click HERE for the full match report.

+++ 14:45: Black-and-red celebrations in the fan zones 🏟️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 +++

The Bayer 04 Women are rushing through the UHS, with a lot of Bayer 04 fans are swarming through the BayArena. There’s plenty going on at the many activity zones around the stadium. While the younger ones, freshly made up, let off steam on the bouncy castle, the slightly older ones are having a go at Früh’s beer pong station or the BarmeniaGothaer LED goal wall. Of course, there are still plenty of stamp hunters out and about with their Werkself passes.

+++ 14:00: Hi lads! 👋💪 +++

A strong first-half performance from our Bayer 04 women’s team – the score is 3–0 at half-time. The sight of the men’s team did nothing to dampen the exuberant atmosphere at the UHS; on the contrary: The Bayer 04 fans gave a rousing welcome to Edmond Tapsoba, Aleix Garcia and co. as they ran across the pitch, past many Löwenclub kids, into the BayArena tunnel. Also in the mix: new signing Miguel Gutiérrez. While the lads are preparing for the friendly against Sevilla (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the women need to hold on to their lead until the final whistle.

+++ 13:00: With Fernando Carro – Presentation of the Bayer 04 Women’s team 🎤🏟️ +++

The women kicked things off! In turn, the Bayer 04 players walked onto the pitch at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium through a guard of honour formed by the Löwenclub, to the applause of the large crowd of fans. Many new signings were also among them.

A special honour went to Vanessa Fudalla – the striker was voted Player of the Season for 2025/26 by the Bayer 04 fans and she was presented with her award by Fernando Carro and a Bayer 04 Club official. Congratulations, Vanessa!

The match is already underway at the UHS – fancy joining Karim Bellarabi and Falko Götz in watching it? You can catch the live stream on Bayer04.de!

+++ 12:50: Werkself Pass – the stamp hunt is on ➡️🔥 +++

The stamp hunt with the Werkself Pass is also already in full swing. Diligent collectors can look forward to great instant prizes at the end – and the lucky few to exclusive top prizes. To win these, they first need to complete exciting missions at the various activity zones around the BayArena. Fancy joining in? Then pick up your Werkself Pass now at the volunteer stand on the corner of Piazza and North Stand, or from 13:30 CEST at the main volunteer stand in front of the family stand in the east, and join the hunt!

+++ 12:35: Legends Brunch in the beer garden 💬⚽ +++

Chatting with the Werkself heroes from their childhood and youth over a delicious meal – that was the order of the day in the beer garden in the north-west of the BayArena. Joining the many delighted Bayer 04 fans were, amongst others, Werkself record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn, 1988 UEFA Cup winner Falko Götz, club legend Paulo Sergio and speedy winger Karim Bellarabi. CEO Fernando Carro also popped in to the event. Everyone was clearly delighted to chat to those present over a Mettbrötchen about past successes and future goals, take photos and sign autographs.

+++ 11:30: West Stand opens its doors 🚪😍 +++

Black-and-red greetings from the BayArena – though for now, only from the West Stand. This is where the action will be until the stadium opens fully at 13:30. Whether it’s the Legends’ Brunch, the exhibition match featuring the Inklusionswerkself, or accessing the first activity zones with the Werkself Pass: early-bird fans will have the most fun here.

You can find further information on the season launch HERE.

Season launch events at a glance: