Back
13.03.2022Bayer 04

Solidarity for Ukraine on derby day

The Werkself will play in a cream-white special shirt for the next game against FC Köln on Sunday 13 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET). The limited edition shirt bearing the Leverkusen coat of arms was sold out within a few hours of going on sale on Tuesday. A large part of the proceeds will go to local support for Ukraine in Leverkusen. The joint derby shirt campaign of Bayer 04, Barmenia and JAKO is one of many events on the derby matchday where the Werkself are taking a clear stand against war and for peace.
crop_20220215_JS_Partnertag_0088.jpg

The corner flags for the next matchday will also show the coat of arms of the city of Leverkusen and the Werkself captain Lukas Hradecky will wear a Leverkusen captain's armband.

hundreds of refugees already in Leverkusen

For each special shirt sold – 1,930 (in reference to the year city of Leverkusen was founded) were available – €40 goes to local support for Ukraine. In cooperation with the city of Leverkusen, the community foundation will allocate funds to regional organisations.

Hundreds of women, children and teenagers from Ukraine have already arrived in Leverkusen and the city is currently preparing for the arrival of more refugees. The primary aim is to provide those people with accommodation, clothing, food and daily requirements but also to ensure integration in local kindergarten and schools.

sea of flags for Ukraine

In addition to the usual big Bayer 04 flags, those of the opponents (in this case FC Köln) and the DFL logo, the Ukraine flag will be raised under the roof of the East Stand. When the teams are announced ahead of kick-off, two flags in the colours of Ukraine and the colours of the city of Leverkusen will be waved behind the two teams. 150 flags will also be given to fans at the Fankiste container.

BayArena lit up in Blue and yellow

And that's not all: After the final whistle at the derby, the whole of the BayArena will be lit up in the colours of Ukraine with the Werkself home ground in Blue and Yellow.

The away fans from Cologne are also joining the campaign: The supporters of our neighbours from the Rhine will bring a peace banner for the top tier of the away section.

Fan groups collect donations

Solidarity is also evident amongst fan groups and donations are being accepted to take to Ukraine. The official collection point is the fan project house on Lichstraße 64, 51373 Leverkusen.

In addition, shirts and jackets from the 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich with the signatures of the Bayer 04 players Jonathan Tah and Florian Wirtz are being auctioned. Proceeds will go to the donation fund at the Leverkusen community foundation.

Related News

Autogrammstunde
Bayer 04 - 28.08.2026

Fanwelt event following UEL draw: Autograph session with Culbreath and Sergio

The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.

Show more
Exequiel Palacios
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026

Exequiel Palacios joins Ipswich Town

After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.

Show more
Exequiel Palacios mit der Meisterschale
Bayer 04 - 27.08.2026

¡Gracias, Pala! – Farewell after six and a half years at Leverkusen

When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.

Show more
Die schönsten Tore von Exequiel Palacios
Werkself-TV - 27.08.2026

Exequiel Palacios' top goals

To mark Exequiel Palacios’s departure, we’ve put together a compilation of the midfielder’s finest and most important goals from his six-and-a-half years at the club.

Show more