The central design element of the new kit is the classic club badge. To fit in with the overall colour, the badge this year is in black and white, which fits the classic appearance of the new Werkself kit. Together with the red collar and red cuffs, the style of the shirt was developed by JAKO in close consultation with Stefan Kießling and the Werkself team committee.
"We wanted to interpret the classic club colours of Bayer 04 in a new and modern design," said the honorary captain who has been working as an adviser to the sporting management since 2018. Kießling, who is in close contact with former teammates, is working in tandem with Christoph Rohmer, head of sponsorship at JAKO, and his team. "In discussion with the players, we have also provided the sleeves with a higher percentage of elastane to enable improved movement in the upper body," explained Rohmer.
The black shirt has vertical pinstripes which symbolises the players of the Bundesliga team. Werkself is on the outside of the collar and Bayer 04 is printed on the inner side. The hems of the sleeve bear the name of the city of Leverkusen.
The new Werkself kit is available now from the online shop as well as from the fan shops in Wiesdorf and Bergisch-Gladbach. The shirt costs €79.90 (children sizes: €59.90) and is available in sizes from 128 up to 5XL.
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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