This time Karim Bellarabi took time out to visit the Media Centre at the BayArena on Wednesday afternoon to answer the many questions from the 100 girls and boys present. Karim provided insights into his private life and he described his path to becoming a professional footballer – the fulfilment of his dreams. As a child, he played with his mates on the street every day and even took football to bed with him at night as the eleven-time Germany international explained. The 28-year-old also gave his young audience tips about how to make it as a professional footballer..
The German Football League (DFL) is continuing to promote the overseas marketing of the Bundesliga. On Tuesday an office was opened in New York. "The USA represents the biggest and most important sport and media market in the world. In terms of our sustainable, long-term growth against this background, it is only logical that the DFL is better represented here than before," said DFL CEO Christian Seifert. The Werkself were represented by Fernando Carro, the spokesman for the management plus marketing and communications director Jochen A. Rotthaus and former pro Stefan Kießling.
Talking about Stefan Kießling. Five-months after his last appearance in professional football, 'Kies' has continued his career at Bayer 04. At the start of the month, the 34-year-old took up his post as sporting management adviser. How he has settled into his new environment and what his future roles are will probably revealed when he appears on the football talk show Doppelpass on Sunday. The league game against Hannover 96 could also be a subject for discussion. The programme is broadcast live by SPORT1 from 11.00 CET.
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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