8.08.2024Bayer 04

Season launch event: U19 league game – supporting programme update

Back at the BayArena again: The Bayer 04 official season launch is on Saturday, 10 August. Ahead of the Werkself friendly against the top-flight Spanish club Real Betis at 15.30 CEST, there is a U19 home game against Alemannia Aachen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium (13.00 CEST). And away from the pitch there will be a comprehensive supporting programme of events – including the Meisterschale and the DFB Pokal trophy. The latest information.

stadium opens earlier

All ticket holders for the season launch, who would like to watch the U19 clash with Alemannia Aachen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, can enter via the North West entrance from 12.30 CEST. There will be no segregation on the day. It will not be possible to watch the U19 game without a ticket for the season launch.

All the other stadium entrances at the BayArena will open at 13.30 CEST two hours before kick-off as usual.

Anyone wanting to watch the U19 match, who does not have a ticket for the season launch, can watch the free live stream of the youth game on the Bayer 04 media channels.

running order for photoes with the trophies

With the opening of the West side at the BayArena at 12.30 CEST, the trophies won by the Werkself in the 2023/24 season will be displayed on the piazza. All Bayer 04 Club members with a ticket for the season launch can now apply for a time slot for a photo with the Meisterschale and the DFB Pokal.

Please note: There will be a 30-minute photo break from 15.00 CEST when the trophies will not be on the piazza. The Meisterschale and DFB Pokal will be by the side of the pitch during that time when the Werkself squad for the new season is officially presented. As with last year, the team under head coach Xabi Alonso will receive a guard of honour from Lions Club members.

other programme highlights – special event after the game

Away from the U19 game and the photo action there will be other highlights for young and old alike. A large number of games will be set up around the concourse at the BayArena. In addition, fans can look forward to exciting interview partners for the stadium announcers Petra ‘Pitti’ Dahl and Tobias Ufer. As well as the Werkself squad, the Bayer 04 Women's team will also be officially presented.

Please note: The new catering prices for the 2024/25 season will apply from the season launch on Saturday. Bayer 04 also calls on fans to take part in the reusable cup donation scheme at home games at the BayArena.

Tickets for the season launch are still available, click HERE to access the Bayer 04 online shop.

Stadion-Übersicht

It will also be worthwhile staying on at the BayArena after the friendly against Real Betis: The Werkself and the Bayer 04 Women will – supported by the children from the Lions Club – will get close to the fans as they distribute balls around the stadium.

important travel information

Leverkusen City Council asks all visitors to the stadium to use public transport, bicycles or to travel by foot. There will be road closures from four hours before kick-off. The City of Leverkusen has put together key traffic and travel information for the season launch on Saturday. The summary in German is available HERE.

Related News

Women - 01.08.2026

Home kit debut: Women’s team win friendly against Genk

With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.

Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Werkself beat Essen 3-0 in friendly ahead of preseason training camp

A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.

Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn August highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Bayer 04 - 30.07.2026

Werkself Team of the Quarter-Century: Wirtz and Alonso top the poll – Tapsoba and Rolfes in starting XI

You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.

Bayer 04 - 30.07.2026

Tillman back in Leverkusen after World Cup with the USA

Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.