The Werkself skipper will present his opposite number from Leipzig with a basket of fruit ahead of kick-off. Before that, six members of the Lions Club will hold a banner with the campaign motto '#FitvormTor' ('Fit in front of goal') as the teams come onto the pitch. Furthermore, the BayArena catering will provide a discount on the popular 'Bulgur Cup' on Saturday.
Away from the campaign matchday, Bayer 04 place great value on the subject of health and diet particular with regard to children and teenagers. In addition to the various, age-related campaigns of the 'Bayer 04 goes to school' project, the club is also committed to providing regular exercise opportunities for youngsters – whether that's every day ('Dance shoes for your kindergarten') or at home games (e.g. the Werkslöwenpass for the concourse at the BayArena). On top of that, Bayer 04 organise a range of events to make the issue of health and diet for young and old more attractive: For the youngest there are regular physical activity offers including training like the Werkself or training with the patrons (as at the end of March with Dominick Kohr and the Lion Club kids). There are also constant health-related offers for older fans such as cooking lessons, 'football fans in training' for overweight men and women or walking football sessions for the Silver Lions.
Bayer 04 have other activities planned to raise the profile of the subject of health and diet in the future.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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