Bayer 04 Leverkusen Pre-season Opener Against CR Flamengo U20 to Feature Broad Global Distribution

Located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone, Estádio da Gávea is known for its breathtaking backdrop and deep connection to Brazilian football history. Friday’s match not only marks an exciting footballing occasion but also the only official fixture in Bayer 04’s visit to Brazil – a match that will be Erik ten Hag’s first as the new coach at Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

For Flamengo’s U20 side, the match presents a rare opportunity to showcase its top prospects on an international stage within a professional setting – an important step in their progression toward first team football. It also marks a meeting of two great brands in global football, highlighting a growing connection between South American and European clubs, and Flamengo’s commitment to building bridges through the game.

Fans around the world will be able to tune in live across a range of global broadcasters that include:

• Brazil: Bundesliga rights-holder CazéTV will broadcast the match live with a pre-game show hosted on site. The match will also be available on Flamengo TV, which reaches nearly 7.5 million subscribers on YouTube.
• North America : ESPN USA will bring the action to fans in the United States.
• Latin America : ESPN LATAM will broadcast the match to all Latin American countries.
• Germany: Supporters at home can watch the match on Sky, DAZN, and the club’s own Werkself.TV.
• Norway: Coverage will be available through VG.
• Rest of World: Fans worldwide can stream the game via Werkself.TV, which will include English commentary for international viewers.

Former Bayer 04 legends scheduled to attend the game include Paulo Sergio, Renato Augusto, Ramon Menezes, Henrique, Zé Elias and Rodrigo Chagas, among others.

 As part of the club’s commitment to community engagement, Bayer 04 will also welcome groups of local school children to the Gávea stands—using this unique occasion to inspire and give back to the local community. Fans and children will have the chance to interact with legends for autographs and photos.

 Guests, employees, and regional heads from parent-company Bayer will also be in attendance, as the club deepens its sporting and cultural ties in Brazil, one of world football’s most iconic heartlands.