
From 17.00 to 22.00 CET on Saturday, the Werkself home ground will be lit up in magenta. World Prematurity Day on 17 November again raises the issue of premature birth and its consequences worldwide. "We have worked in partnership with the Klinikum Leverkusen for many years and we'd like to show our solidarity with the doctors, nurses and parents of premature children," said Meinolf Sprink, fan and community affairs director at Bayer 04.
There are around 65,000 premature births in Germany each year. That means one in ten births are premature and premature babies form the largest section of child patients in Germany. However, advances in medicine have increased survival rates amongst premature births including those born more than four months early with a birth weight of less than 500 grammes. The Klinikum is the main centre for the care of premature babies among hospitals in Leverkusen and im Bergisches Land and with 1,600 births per year is one of the most experienced maternity hospitals in the region.
The idea of lighting up of buildings all over the world (Purple for Preemies) originally came from the American Organisation March of Dimes and is growing in terms of exposure and need. In addition to the BayArena, Heidelberg Castle and the Bettenhochhaus tower block at the Charité in Berlin will also be lit up in magenta.

Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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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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