Back
15.06.2018Bayer 04

Summer break? – Not for our groundsmen.

The World Cup in Russia has started and the Werkself pre-season begins in three weeks: While Lars Bender, Kevin Volland and Co. enjoy the final phase of their summer break ahead of the return to the training ground on 5 July, the Bayer 04 groundsmen certainly have their hands full at the moment.
BayArena_Rasen_Umbau.jpg

The pitch at the BayArena, recently in receipt of an award from the German Football League (DFL), should be in perfect condition for the start of the Bundesliga campaign on 24-26 August particularly given the additional wear and tear associated with the group stage of the Europa League kicking off in ten weeks time on 20 September. The pitch is currently recovering after last Friday's  Germany v Saudi Arabia friendly. 

Work on the playing surface will soon start: Following a close cut on Tuesday, the pitch will be scarified on Wednesday with a large number of big, deep holes created on the surface. "The turf becomes compacted over time through heavy use and intense care and cutting programmes. This process makes the soil more permeable and the grass receives more air leading to improved growth," explained the Bayer 04 head groundsman Georg Schmitz. In the coming weeks, Georg and his ten-man team will be hard at work on the pitch: reseeding, mowing, fertilising and observing on a daily basis. The aim is clear: The BayArena pitch has to meet the high demands of Bayer 04 and , literally, be the basis for a successful new campaign at Leverkusen.

BayArena_Rasen_Umbau.jpg

The neighbouring Ulrich Haberland Stadium has looked like a building site since Monday. A new, fibre-reinforced grass pitch is due to be laid in the next few weeks.

Related News

KKV
Business - 23.09.2026

Upgrade at Bayer 04: KKV Kabelverlegung joins Sponsors’ Club as new partner

Bayer 04 Leverkusen welcomes a new official member to the Sponsors’ Club at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. KKV Kabelverlegung GmbH & Co. KG is expanding its existing partnership and will, with immediate effect, act as a supporter of the Bundesliga club at the second-highest partner level, just below the premium tier. As an official partner in the Sponsors’ Club, KKV will now enjoy significantly enhanced visibility during Werkself matches at the BayArena. The new contract is initially valid until 30 June 2028.

Show more
EDO
Business - 23.09.2026

Bayer 04 expand business partnership with EDO Personalservice

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has extended the existing partnership agreement with EDO Personalservice GmbH and, at the same time, expanded its collaboration with the Cologne-based company. The official partner in the Business Club has been upgraded within Bayer 04’s partner network. The revised and enhanced support for the club has initially been agreed for two years, running until 30 June 2028.

Show more
Miguel Gutiérrez
Bayer 04 - 23.09.2026

Vote for Miguel Gutiérrez as ‘Player of the Month’ for September

Video games developer Electronic Arts (EA), in collaboration with the Bundesliga, has announced the six nominees for the Bundesliga ‘Player of the Month’ award for September – Bayer 04’s Miguel Gutiérrez has made it into this select group after just four Bundesliga matches. Fans of the Black and Reds can vote from now until Sunday 27 September (23:59 CEST).

Show more
Marcel Daum
Bayer 04 - 22.09.2026

Expert discussions at the BayArena

There is plenty going on at the Leverkusen stadium – even when the Werkself have a day off. At the ‘Expert Days Analytics’ event, organised by Team Analysis, assistant coach Marcel Daum and Simon Lackmann, an analyst in the professional players’ department, spoke with other analysts and coaches from the professional and youth teams about formations, tactics and the use of data in match analysis. Just one room away, Western German football coaches and referees from the professional leagues in Germany gathered for the “Regional Hub for Head Coaches and Referees”, organised by the Bundesliga.

Show more