New seating for the BayArena - donation and reuse of existing seats

The removal of the previous seating is in full swing. Block by block, the black and red seats that have largely characterised the stands of the BayArena since the stadium was extended in 2009 are disappearing. They are being unscrewed, drilled and removed - and new ones instated.

Around one third each of the seat shells will go to fans as memorabilia, to various social organisations and clubs from Leverkusen and the surrounding area, to two stadium projects in Ukraine and to the company PreZero for innovative recycling.

the BayArena comes home: THE 'Unbeaten champions seats'

Over recent weeks, Bayer 04 has given Werkself fans the unique opportunity to purchase the Unbeaten Champion seats and thus bring home a very special souvenir. Season ticket holders of seats in the seated areas were even able to secure their own original Unbeaten Champion seat, where they experienced all the emotional and unforgettable moments of that campaign.

The purchased seats will be sent to the fans in the coming weeks so that they can create a special place of remembrance in their favourite seat in their own four walls by the start of the new season at the latest.

sustainable, regional use – support for Ukraine

Bayer 04 is also donating a good third of the seat shells to community organisations and clubs, primarily from Leverkusen and the surrounding area. The Werkself launched a survey for organisations and clubs to submit their wishes. This had to be taken offline early due to the very high level of interest. Meanwhile, the first organisations and clubs have collected their seats from the BayArena.

Manuela Zimmermann from the KGS Möwenschule in Leverkusen, a Werkself fan for over four decades, was visibly delighted with the memorabilia: "When we told the children about it, their eyes immediately widened. We are planning portable seating for our school garden and for the breaks. And the seats are also great for our circus project as part of the school's community programme."

Luca from SSV Sudberg in Wuppertal collected the seats to "give the loyal fans and spectators who support us at every home game a cosy place to sit." Thomas from Old Boys Leichlingen speaks of a "true affair of the heart: I've been involved since the second division times in the 1970s, back then together with my father. This is something very special for me, a memory that will last forever. The seats will provide a nice place for the public in Leichlingen."

In addition to the numerous local organisations such as the Langenfeld Longhorns (American football), SV Schlebusch, SV Bergfried Leverkusen (both football) and the DRK Leverkusen, more than 2,000 seats are also going to Ukraine as part of a collaboration with Bayer AG and the "Blue Yellow Cross" association. There they will be installed in two stadiums in the cities of Korzhi and Baryshivka, both near Kyiv.

Innovative reuse of seats

Around a third of the seat shells also go to the company PreZero. The German environmental service provider innovatively recycles the seat shells so that they remain in the cycle.

current situation - more Bayarena insights to follow

Here are some impressions of the current status of the remodelling work in the BayArena. As soon as the new seats are installed in the main stand, Bayer 04 will keep all fans up to date on the club's own channels.

new seats for season opener

The Werkself fans will be able to sit in the new, comfortable folding seats for the first time at the official season launch event on Saturday, 8 August. The sporting highlight on the day will be the friendly against the Europa League record winners Sevilla. Kick-off is at 15:30 CEST. Bayer 04 will publish information on the supporting programme and ticket sales on the club media channels.