Over 25,000 fans at successful season launch at the BayArena

The start to an action-packed day was made by the Bayer 04 Women's team with a convincing 6-0 victory over FSV Gütersloh 2009 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. A lot of fans were already on site before the first game of the day to provide vocal support for the team under head coach Robert de Pauw. There was also a wide range of activities in and around the BayArena for young and old alike from the morning. While the youngest Black and Reds supporters could take part in face painting, shooting cans or testing the speed of their shots, the adults had the stands of partners Barmenia, Früh Kölsch and many more at their disposal.

One special highlight was at the stand run by partner Zweirad-Prumbaum: There the winners of the Leverkusen city cycle event were honoured. The Bayer 04 team cycled 10,000 kilometres in the three weeks of the cycling campaign event and thereby saved this 1,600 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide. Presentation of the gifts for the winners with the most kilometres travelled were made by club representative and former player Stefan Kießling.

Another highlight followed immediately before kick-off: The official presentation of the first team squad. Every player ran onto the pitch on their own. The Bayer 04 Women's squad was presented at half-time. Both teams were given a guard of honour by children from the Bayer 04 Löwenclub – what a great welcome!

Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, and sporting managing director Simon Rolfes welcomed everybody at half-time. In interview with stadium announcers Pitti Dahl and Tobias Ufer, Carro and Rolfes were delighted about the contract extension with head coach Xabi Alonso. With respect to the Bayer 04 Women's team, both stressed that targets had been set and also that there are ambitious aims in the new season for the first team with the newly assembled squad. Both commented on the great support from fans last season. In addition to the exuberant atmosphere attention was drawn to one important issue: Fan liaison officer Andreas ‘Paffi’ Paffrath joined Meinolf Sprink, community and fans director, and professor Wülfing from the USG (Urological Health Foundation) to talk about the #stellkrebsvomplatz campaign that aims to raise awareness of early identification of prostate cancer.

After the game, the players and the Bayer 04 Women's team did a lap of honour and kicked balls to the fans in the stands. In addition, Jeremie Frimpong and Elisa Senß received awards for their achievements in the 2022/23 campaign. The two Leverkusen players were voted Player of the Season or Women's Player of the Season by Bayer 04 supporters over recent weeks. Two fans made the presentations on the pitch. Frimpong did not miss the chance to perfrom a dance of celebration in front of the crowd.

Long after the final whistle, a large number of supporters enjoyed themselves in the beer garden on the piazza complete with live music. Inside the BayArena there was an exclusive autograph session with the Werkself players and the Bayer 04 Women's team for Club members, Löwenclub children as well as disabled fans. The two squads dedicated two hours to meeting the autograph and selfie requests in person. The last supporters made their way home around seven o'clock in the evening with beaming faces, unique impressions and an enjoyable 4-0 home win in the final pre-season friendly.

Bayer 04 thank all fans and look forward to a season together in 2023/24

The first competitive match at the BayArena is in two weeks on Saturday 19 August: The team under Xabi Alonso entertain RB Leipzig on Bundesliga matchday one. The kick-off is at 15.30 CEST.