1.08.2023Bayer 04

Miscellaneous: 65 years ago – Inaugural match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium

The first-ever match at the new stadium on Bismarckstraße, named Ulrich Haberland after the general director of Bayer AG, was played on 2 August 1958. The new venue at that point consisted of two sides with the West Stand covered and also fitted out with seats. The two oval ends were still covered in grass but were to be turned into terraces in a second phase of building. The capacity of the new stadium was 20,000 and a 400-metre running track also provided the opportunity for athletics events.

The gates were opened at four o'clock on that wonderful Saturday. The spectators were entertained by an orchestra from Bayer AG. The reception for the honoured guests started at 16.30 and that was followed by a tour round the new stadium. The club chairman Dr Fritz Jacobi gave his inaugural address at 16.50. After a couple of displays from youth players of the two Leverkusen clubs Tus 04 and Bayer 04, the match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf kicked off at 18.00.

The two teams were led onto the newly laid pitch by the captains Fredy Mutz and Erich Juskowiak. Bayer 04 were on top in the first 30 minutes but the ball was not doing what the players wanted and one or two good chances went begging. The scoreline was 0-0 at half-time. The spectators witnessed a similar display in the second half: Bayer 04 pressed, Fortuna sat back. But then the Düsseldorf striker Heinz Janssen broke through and rounded the Bayer 04 keeper Fredy Mutz and scored the first goal at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. A brace from the future Germany coach Jupp Derwall saw the Werkself lose 3-0 in their first game at the new stadium.

crop_19580802_Schluesseluebergabe_Viktor_Calles_Dr_Fritz_Jacobi.jpg

19580802_Egon_Rosinki_Fredi_Mutz_vs_Steffen_Woeske_.jpg

A few weeks later it is 9 November 1958 and the new pitch was so cut up after a friendly against MSV Duisburg that it had to be completely relayed. The Werkself played the rest of the season at the old Am Stadtpark Stadium.

Bayer 04 are only able to use the new pitch at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion again in the summer of 1959. The stadium on Bismarckstraße was our new home from the 1959/60 season, first as the Ulrich Haberland Stadion and then under the new name of the BayArena from 1998.

Related News

Christoph Daum – Der Mann, der uns das Wollen beibrachte | Legende des Monats Februar

Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

Legend: Christoph Daum - The man who taught us to want

Christoph Daum was born on 24 October 1953 in Zwickau. As a child, he moved to West Germany with his mother and grew up in Duisburg. He developed a great enthusiasm for football at an early age, even though it soon became clear that his future lay less on the pitch than on the sidelines. Even at a young age, his passion for analysing, explaining and improving things became apparent.

Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

From the archives: 65 years ago - Another victory at last

When the Bayer 04 players celebrated Christmas in 1960, they spent the winter in second place in the Oberliga West 2 on 20 points - but already five points behind leaders Schwarz-Weiß Essen. However, coach Erich Garske's team are struggling to get back on track in the new year. A goalless draw against Bonner FV at home at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium was followed by a 2-1 away defeat in Erkenschwick. The following home game also yielded just one point. As a result, the team's promotion ambitions dwindled to a minimum, as the gap to the coveted spot has now grown to a challenging ten points.

Von Waas bis Tapsoba | Tore des Monats Februar

Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

Goals of the month: From Waas to Tapsoba

In this video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of February. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Vor 20 Jahren – Das Spiel der offenen Tore | Spiel des Monats Februar

Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

Match of the month: 20 years ago - A game of goals galore

It is 11 February 2006 and Schalke 04 and the Werkself kick off at 3.30 p.m. in a match that ends up being historic - at least from a Bayer 04 perspective.

Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

History: 75 years ago - The 1950/51 season (February)

As league leaders, the Werkself welcomed the relegation-threatened team from Rhenania Würselen. On 4 February 1951, 5,000 spectators line the touchlines despite the Sunday carnival parades. And they see a home team that is superior on the pitch. Without Theo Kirchberg, who was ill, and Emil Becks, who was suspended, the hosts attacked the opposing goal from the start. Battling against a strong wind in the first half, Bayer 04 created chance after chance, but were repeatedly thwarted by the Würselen goalkeeper. With the score at 0-0 at half-time, Karl Heinz Spikofski tried his luck on 55 minutes and hammered the ball into the opposition net from 20 metres out. Rhenania can no longer counterattack. The siege of the Würselen penalty area continued right to the end, but the game ended in a narrow 1-0 win.