A few days after the announcement by the German Football League (DFL) that the Werkself have the best pitch in the Bundesliga, the Germany national team have the chance to see that for themselves tonight. Because of the international fixture, the BayArena has had a makeover inside and out over recent days: The stands, dugouts and interior are now black-and-white instead of the familiar Bayer 04 red. "The DFB have transformed everything," explained Stephan Rehm, events director at the Werkself. As is usual with international matches, the capacity at the BayArena will be 29,412 (all seated).
Germany have won six and drawn once in the seven internationals to date at Leverkusen. The German national team have beaten Saudi Arabia twice – the last win was in 2002 when the team then managed by the current Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler secured an 8-0 victory in a warm-up game for the World Cup finals of that year.
The Leverkusen transport company Wupsi are laying on numerous shuttle buses and additional services for the journey to the BayArena.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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