
The weekly series covers the five big Bundesliga clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia Schalke 04, Bayer 04, Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Köln.
Nowhere else in Germany has such a high concentration of football fanatics and such rivalry between the clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia. Although increasing commercialisation in football is often complained about: The attraction of the five Bundesliga teams in NRW remains unbroken. However have they achieved that? What is special about the clubs that the fans get on board a helter-skelter of emotions each season? WDR television investigates this question in their five-part documentary series 'Mein Verein'. After Schalke 04 with the first club shown in the series last Sunday it is now the turn for Bayer 04. The title of the programme, broadcast on Sunday on WDR between 21.45 and 22.30, is entitled 'the Werkself?'. The trailer text says: "The documentary goes in search of the last real works footballers, meets the club bosses from yesterday and today, fan from Leverkusen but also from Moscow and Mexico. And: A club legend who is researching the history of the club that apparently does not have one. One question is permanently in the air: Bayer 04 – a cool marketing instrument? Or after 40 years since promotion to the Bundesliga on the way to being a big club?"
In the broadcast we hear from the CEO Michael Schade, sporting director Rudi Völler, fan liaison officer Rüdiger Vollborn and comedian Wilfried Schmickler, a committed Werkself f who grew up in Leverkusen.

The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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Sofie Zdebel is up for the Goal of the Month award for February on ARD-Sportschau. Fans have until 21 March (19:00 CET) to vote for the Germany U23 international's volley to make it 2-0 in the Bayer 04 Women's derby against FC Köln (2-1).
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are further expanding their partner network: The feed manufacturer PerNaturam is an official sponsor of the Bayer 04 Womens team. The partnership opens up a wide range of opportunities for the company to position its brand in the Bundesliga environment.
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Do you dream of wearing the Bayer cross on your chest? To play in black and red like your role models Loreen Bender, Cornelia Kramer, Kristin Kögel and co. from the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga? Then take your chance now! Our female youth teams are once again on the lookout for new talent. That's why Bayer 04 are organising a talent day on 12 April 2026 for the first time this year with trials for female juniors.
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Werkself TV shows highlights of the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league...
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