The squad under head coach Gerardo Seoane will prepare for next season in Zell am See-Kaprun from 14 to 22 July. As in previous years, Lukas Hradecky and Co. will stay at the Hotel TauernSPA in Kaprun and train at the Alois-Latini-Stadium in Zell am See. Two friendlies are planned during the stay in Austria.
“Ten years of training camps in the one and the same region – that is exceptional by Bundesliga standards. And, in my eyes, an indication of the good partnership between SalzburgerLand and Bayer 04,” said Werkself CEO Fernando Carro. “The hotel is great, the training ground is good, the hospitality is cordial and the organisers come up with new ideas every year. The team, coaching staff, club management and our fans always feel at home. Not to forget: We have always qualified for European competitions with one exception since 2013.
The fact the tenth Werkself training camp in Salzburger Land is not in 2022 is down to the coronavirus pandemic and the associated changes to the match calendar in the summer of 2020. Back then, the Bundesliga season ended in June, the DFB Cup final was at the start of July and the finals of the UEFA Europa League were in August. That left no time for a pre-season away from Leverkusen.
“The Werkself have deep roots in Leverkusen but they have found a home away from home in SalzburgerLand. Our partnership of the past ten years has developed into a true friendship,” said Leo Bauernberger, CEO of SalzburgerLand Tourismus Gesellschaft (SLTG). “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Bayer 04 Leverkusen back to the training camp in July and we will provide the opportunity for top preparation for next season’s European highlights. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all Werkself fans to Zell am See-Kaprun. Is there anything better than combining the passion for the Werkself with a summer holiday in the Salzburg mountains?”
Renate Ecker, tourism director for Zell am See-Kaprun: “Germany is one of our biggest and most important markets both in the summer and the winter. The Bayer 04 Leverkusen training camp very much underlines our activities, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia. Zell am See-Kaprun is well established as a sports destination and we are in the best position to convey that. The large number of sporting opportunities coupled with the natural world of glaciers, mountains and lakes provides optimum conditions for the Werkself to make the most of training and the necessary rest and recovery.”
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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