History: A memorable day
The Ulrich Haberland Stadium opened on 2 August 1958 and it was a ground met the highest and most up-to-date requirements. It was built in record time considering the poor weather conditions in 1957 and 1958.
Laying the pitch, which involved planting ready-made turf from the Netherlands, saved nine months – time that would better have been spent installing a better drainage system as that failed in a friendly in November 1958. The pitch was in such a poor state that they had to return to the Stadtpark at the end of the 1958/59 season. But nobody predicted that in August 1958.
opening match against Düsseldorf
The stands fill up with spectators from four o'clock and they are entertained by a brass band from the Bayer AG factories. To make it easier to find seats, the individual blocks are painted in the colour of the match tickets and not ordered by letters and numbers. At ten to five, Dr Fritz Jacobi, the chairman of Bayer 04, gives a speech and then receives a key from the architect and construction manager Viktor Calles in a symbolic handover.
The main event of the inauguration is the friendly between Bayer 04 and Oberliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf. In front of 11,000 spectators, Fortuna win 3-0 with the Bayer team missing lots of chances. The first goalscorer at the new Ulrich Haberland Stadium is a certain Jupp Derwall who went on to be the Germany coach and manager at Galatasaray where he won the Turkish league in 1987. At the end of the day the newspapers were positive and highlighted the special atmosphere at the new Bayer ground.
Related News
Bayer 04 - 01.05.2025
Birthday boy of the month: Tranquillo Barnetta turns 40
Tranquillo Barnetta was born in St. Gallen in Switzerland on 22 May 1985. Quillo, as he was called in the football world, has Italian roots. His great-grandfather emigrated from Italy to the east of Switzerland. Quillo was interested in football early on and he played for the St. Gallen club FC Rotmonten from the age of six. He joined his favourite club FC St. Gallen at the age of 11. There he became a youth international. He won the European Championships with his teammates in the Switzerland U17 team in 2002. The youngsters from Switzerland beat France 4-2 on penalties in the final to become U17 European champions.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 01.05.2025
From the archives: 60 years ago – The big worry
Since the establishment of the Bundesliga on 28 July 1962 for the 1963/64 season, there have been five Regional Leagues: North, Berlin, West, South-west and South. The champions of those five leagues qualified directly for promotion play-offs that were played in two groups of four teams. That included the two second-placed teams in the West and South-west Regional Leagues. The two runners-up from the North and the South played a qualifier for the eighth place in the promotion games.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 01.05.2025
Goals of the month: From Klimke to Brandt
In this video you can watch impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 in the month of May. It is not always about the beauty of the goals but also about remembering special games and players.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 01.05.2025
Match of the month: 40 years ago – Highest scoring Bundesliga derby
There were high summer temperatures in Leverkusen on 25 May 1985. Matchday 32 brings FC Köln to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium with only 13,000 spectators at the derby. That is primarily due to the Werkself with Bayer 04 rarely impressing in that season and they are eleventh in the table before the game just three points ahead of sixteenth, the play-off spot. But with the two points for a win rule back then – two points were awarded for a win – and with the significantly better goal difference, the Werkself need every point to get out of trouble.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 01.05.2025
History: 50 years ago – Promotion season 1974/75 (May)
It was all or nothing on the final matchday in the Verbandsliga in the 1974/75 season. Only now would it be decided who were champions and thereby participate in the promotion games to the Bundesliga 2 North. The earlier rivals Viktoria Köln, SC Jülich 10 and Bonner SC have fallen by the wayside.
Show more
