Heiko Herrlich has opted not to have a training camp and instead will prepare his team for the second half of the season in Leverkusen – training restarts on Tuesday, 2 January 2018 (15.30 CET) with an open session.
Two friendlies have been arranged before Bayer 04 open the second half of the Bundesliga campaign when Bayern Munich visit the BayArena on Friday 12 January (20.30 CET). Second division SpVgg Greuther Fürth are the visitors at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on 5 January (14.00 CET). That could see a reunion with former Bayer 04 player Roberto Hilbert who is now under contract at the Bavarian club. The Werkself have another friendly a day later on 6 January – this time against third division Preußen Münster (14.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium).
Bayer 04 are also planning another two friendlies in January to be fully prepared for the 2017/18 campaign run-in: The day after the game against Bayern, the Werkself will play third division Sportfreunde Lotte (13 January, 11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium) – the club that caused an upset last season when knocked Bayer 04 out of the DFB Cup. Three days after the league match at TSG Hoffenheim (20 January), the Werkself take on Regional League outfit Rot-Weiß Oberhausen (23 January, 11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium) in the fourth friendly in January.
Tuesday 2 January: Training restarts (15. 30 CET)
Friday 5 January: Friendly against SpVgg Greuther Fürth (14 .00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Saturday 6 January: Friendly against Preußen Münster (14.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Friday 12 January: Second half of season opener against Bayern Munich (20.30 CET, BayArena)
Saturday 13 January: Friendly against SF Lotte (11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Saturday 20 January: Bundesliga fixture at TSG Hoffenheim (15.30 CET, Rhein Neckar Arena)
Tuesday 23 January: Friendly against RW Oberhausen (11.00 CET, Ulrich Haberland Stadium)
Sunday 28 January: Bundesliga fixture against Mainz 05 (15.30 CET, BayArena)
Bayer 04 are back on the pitch. Following the first training sessions, the Werkself play the first pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 18. The match against Oberliga club Sportfreunde Baumberg kicks off at 15:30 CEST in Monheim am Rhein. Fans unable to attend the match can watch head coach Carles Martínez’s first game in charge for free via a livestream at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app, as well as on Werkself.tv (exclusively for members). Just log on and watch the games live. All the other Werkself preseason friendlies leading up to the 2026/27 season will also be streamed live for free.
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Bayer 04 is redesigning the public catering at the BayArena and Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion for the start of the 2026/27 season. Together with new catering partner Aramark, processes will be developed and the service at the stadium will be improved in a targeted way.
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The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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