
On Saturday, 12 September, fans can look forward to a 90-minute live broadcast from 15.30 CET at bayer04.de and on the official Bayer 04 YouTube channel with a programme of black and red entertainment from the Schwadbud – the perfect introduction to the new season.
CEO Fernando Carro, head of the youth section Thomas Eichin, popular figure Ramazan ‘Rambo’ Özcan plus the Bayer 04 women’s team captain Jessica Wich and new signing Kristin Kögel will all be guests in the studio. They will not only field questions from the presenters Mara Mones and Cedric Pick but also show what they can do in an amusing studio challenge.
Viewers can also look forward to seeing new signing Patrik Schick take part in the popular ‘Black or Red’ format, sporting director Simon Rolfes, who will answer penetrating questions from fans, Bayer 04 legend Stefan Kießling in a completely unusual role, the Werkself first team who will send out warm greetings to the fans plus much more.
It is possible to join in the chat on the YouTube channel during the whole broadcast – comments will be worked into the broadcast and questions redirected to the studio guests.
The perfect introduction to the new season ahead of the opening fixture in the DFB Cup against Eintracht Norderstedt on Sunday, 13 September (15.30 CET).

The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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