VfL Bochum are the first opponents following the return from the ten day training camp in Rio de Janeiro that includes a friendly. The match against the team relegated from the Bundesliga, which is the season opener for the hosts, is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST.
The Werkself are next in action five days later away to the top-flight Dutch club Fortuna Sittard on Friday, 1 August (19:00 CEST).
Tickets for the two games in Bochum and Sittard will probably go on sale from the first week in July. Further ticket information to follow.
The season opener at the BayArena is on Tuesday, 5 August. There will be a friendly in the early evening with information on the opponents and the kick-off time to follow. Tickets go on sale to Bayer 04 Club members from Tuesday, 8 July.
The Werkself play Chelsea in London in the final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The match against the fourth-placed team in the Premier League and Club World Cup participants is on Friday, 8 August with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST (19:00 local time) at Stamford Bridge.
"That friendly at a top European level will be the sporting highlight of the pre-season. Our new Werkself team will play a top opponent in Chelsea a week before the start of the DFB Pokal and Stamford Bridge is a highly attractive venue for our fans. We are looking forward to a real big match in London," said Simon Rolfes, managing director sport at Bayer 04.
Tickets for the away game in England will probably go on sale after the first week of July. Further ticket information to follow.
The first round of the DFB Pokal is a week later on the weekend of 15 to 18 August with the Werkself away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. The 2025/26 Bundesliga season starts the following weekend and the fixture list will be published on Friday 27 June.
From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
Show more
A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
Show more
After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.
Show more
As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
Show more
