
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Bayer 04 have comfortably reached the DFB Pokal second round thanks to a 4–0 victory away to Liga 3 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Patrik Schick put the Werkself ahead in the first 45 in the first competitive match under head coach Carles Martínez with debuts for new signings Miguel Gutiérrez, Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. After the break, Lucas Vázquez (47'), Nathan Tella (69') and Christian Kofane (79') also found the back of the net.
Show more
Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
Show more
With the 2026/27 season set to kick off with a DFB Pokal tie away to SV Wehen Wiesbaden (Saturday, 22 August, 13:00 CEST), the squad numbers for two Werkself players have now been confirmed. New signing Afonso Moreira will wear the number 9, which he has already worn in pre-season friendlies. Lucas Vázquez is switching from number 21 to number 17 – the number he wore successfully at Real Madrid for many years.
Show more
Bayer 04 start the 2026/27 season away to third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ahead of the DFB Pokal tie on Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez spoke at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The topics: anticipation, passion, the fans’ support – and the captaincy for the new season.
Show more