Opposition is provided by two top South American clubs in Estudiantes de La Plata from Argentina and Club Atlético Mineiró from Brazil.
Bayer 04 enjoyed perfect conditions in Orlando in 2015 and 2016 and the Werkself will again be based at the Hotel Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. At the start of this year the Werkself played Santa Fe (Colombia) and SC Internacional (Brazil). A 1-0 win against Santa Fe was followed in the second match by a 3-3 draw with SC Internacional.
Werkself striker Chicharito, who was followed by several hundred fans at the training camp, scored two goals in the tournament and was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2016 Florida Cup.
In addition to Bayer 04, Estudiantes de La Plata and Clube Atlético Mineiró, the third tournament in 2017 also involves VFL Wolfsburg, FC Corinthians, Flamengo (both from Brazil), Barcelona SC (Ecuador) plus the Tampa Bay Rowdies from the American Major League Soccer.
The first opponent for the Werkself next year will be Estudiantes de La Plata on eight January at 14.00 (local time) at the A1 Lang Stadium in Tampa. In 2009 the club won the Copa Libertadores de América, the most important club competition in South America, and they currently lead the Primera Divisíon in Argentina ahead of Boca Juniors.
Clube Atlético Mineiró are the second opponents for Bayer 04 on 11 January at 19.00 (local time) in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Stadium. In 2013 Atletico Mineiró won the Copa Libertadores, in 2014 club lifted the Recopa Sudamericana and went on to win the domestic cup competition in Brazil. This season the team is currently fourth in the Brazilian top-flight. One of the stars of the team is the former Brazil international and Real Madrid striker Robinho.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the Hamburg tech start-up GIPEDO are revolutionising communication between clubs and their partners: Via a new partner portal, the GIPEDO workspace, animation advertising can in future be independently administrated by partners.
Show more
On Saturday 22 March, lights at the BayArena will be switched off from 20:30 to 21:.30 CET. As in previous years, Bayer 04 are again joining in with the climate protection campaign ‘Earth Hour’.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Shen Menglu for several months. The China international suffered a torn cruciate injury in last Sunday’s 6-0 home win against Werder Bremen.
Show more
Central defender Emilie Bragstad is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen with immediate effect to join top-flight Swedish club Hammarby IF. The 23-year-old had a contract with the Werkself to the summer of 2026. The two clubs have agreed not to reveal details of the transfer.
Show more
