
The Werkself also have two friendlies to play before then. The first has already been arranged: At the end of the first week of training, the Leverkusen pros – as in last year’s pre-season – are again away to Regional League Wuppertaler SV. Other friendlies plus all kick-off times and venues will be announced as soon as they are known here at bayer04.de and also on our social media platforms.
1 July: Performance tests (morning), training restart (afternoon)
6 July: Friendly at Wuppertaler SV, kick-off: 17.00 CET
13 July: Friendly
15 to 21 July: Training camp in Zell am See/Kaprun
20 July: Friendly
28 July: Friendly
4 August: Friendly as part of season launch event at the BayArena
9 to 11 August: DFB Cup, Round One (Draw on 15 June)
16 to 18 August: Bundesliga kick-off
17/18 September: Champions League, Matchday 1 (Group stage)

Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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