
According to the assessment made by the safety authorities on site, the match against the Dutch top-flight club can kick off at 16.00 CEST as planned. There will be a minute’s silence just before kick-off and the Bayer 04 players will wear black arm bands as a mark of respect for the one fatality and the people injured by the explosion.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is a limit of 350 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium and the remaining tickets were sold out on Tuesday afternoon. Fans were able to buy the tickets for five euros from the Bayer 04 service centre. All the proceeds go to the ‘Leverkusen hilft’ organised by the Leverkusen community foundation with the money raised helping victims of the floods.
Away fans are not permitted at the game; spectators have to be double vaccinated’, have recovered from the virus or have a negative test. Children from six years of age need a certified, negative test result. The relevant document must be produced on entering the stadium.
Bayer 04 will soon announce ticket sales for the final friendly ahead of the start of the new season. The Werkself were due to play Celta Vigo on Saturday 31 July at 16.00 CEST. The match has been called off due to positive Covid-19 cases at the Spanish club. Bayer 04 are now looking for new opponents for the final pre-season friendly. The Werkself kick off the new season on 7 August with the DFB Cup tie against FC Lokomotive Leipzig.

The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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