The first training session in the New Year will be on Friday 3 January. Lars Bender and Co. will be hard at work on the training ground at the BayArena from 11.30 CET. The training camp starts the following day.
The team plus staff fly out to Murcia to spend a week in La Manga. In addition to the training sessions, there are two friendlies at La Manga Club on Friday 10 January at 14.00 and 16.00 CET. The opponents will be announced at a later date.
After returning to Leverkusen, the squad will train at the BayArena before the start of the second half of the season. The Werkself play SC Paderborn on Sunday 19 January. The kick-off at the Benteler Arena is at 18.00 CET at the end of matchday 18.
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
Show more
Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
Show more
The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
Show more
While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
Show more
