The match against Würzburger Kickers will be played at the JAKO Arena in Hollenbach in a 17.30 CET kick-off. The friendly has been organised by JAKO AG, kit supplier to both teams, in association with FSV Hollenbach.
Rudi Sprügel, founder and chairman of the board at JAKO AG: "I'm happy we can provide people from our home region with a great night of football. We have deep roots in Hohenlohe and therefore it is something special for me and our 230 employees to be able to watch the two teams on the pitch where our history as a sports kit supplier began."
After Rudi Sprügel founded JAKO Sportartikel Vertriebs GmbH in 1989 in his brother’s garage, the footballers of FSV Hollenbach were the first team to play in JAKO strips. Bayer 04 Leverkusen with the first team to wear the brand in the UEFA Champions League last season. Würzburger Kickers are not just regional neighbours for JAKO but also the club where Sprügel played in the second Bundesliga South division in 1977/78.
‘JAKO Land’ on the artificial pitch opens its gates at 15.30 CET. Children are warmly welcome to make full use of the sports games available. Adults can enjoy a cool evening drink at one of the many catering stands. Due to safety considerations, bags are not permitted on the sports ground. In addition to the main entrance there is also another gate on the south side of the ground. Parking is available at the companies ebm-papst and JAKO.
Entrance is free for children under the age of 13. Children aged from 14 to 17, students, senior citizens and women are entitled to the concession tickets for €5 and the adult price is €10. Tickets are available from Monday 26 June online www.jako.de and from local ticket outlets.
Friendly at SV Sandhausen
Bayer 04's friendly at second division SV Sandhausen will be played at the BWT Stadion am Hardtwald on 23 July with a 14.30 CET kick-off. Sandhausen have been in the second division since the 2012/13 season and they finished in tenth place last term. SVS players Leart Paqarada, Erik Zenga and Richard Sukuta-Pasu started their careers at Bayer 04.
Following the match, Bayer 04 will head straight to the training camp in Zell am See/Kaprun where they will prepare for the new campaign for the fifth time in succession.
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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