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

Freiwillige Feuerwehrleute beim Spiel gegen NK Celje

Bayer 04 - 17.09.2026

222 members from volunteer fire brigades watch the home win against Celje at the BayArena

A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.

U19 - 16.09.2026

3–2 against Viktoria Köln – U19s extend lead at the top of the table in crunch clash

The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.

Bayer 04 - 16.09.2026

Muscle injury sidelines Bayer 04 defender Guéla Doué

Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.

Europa League - 16.09.2026

Matchday news: A new chapter in European competition begins

For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.

Die PK mit Martínez und Garcia vor dem UEL-Heimauftakt gegen NK Celje | 1. Spieltag UEL

Werkself-TV - 15.09.2026

Martínez ahead of home opener: In Europa League with high ambitions

European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.