Bayer 04 started the weekend on Friday night, 10 May with ‘Promotion day’: The title winners of 1979 were reunited at the BayArena. Everybody was happy, moved and excited – the players from yesteryear as much as the fans. The former players enjoyed the trip down memory lane with 380 supporters in the evening in the ‘19nullvier-Lounge’. With the exception of a few promotion heroes, everybody was there: from Fred Bockholt via Jürgen Gelsdorf, Thomas Hörster, Gerd Kentschke, Willibert Kremer through to Norbert Ziegler. One person was the focus of attention: legendary general manager Reiner Calmund.
After the atmospheric start on Friday night with the ‘Promotion day’, it carried on seamlessly on Saturday morning: On the second day of the weekend celebrating 40 years in the Bundesliga for Bayer 04, the heroes of 1979 met up at the Lindner Hotel with the Bundesliga Allstars from all over the world. That included Dimitar Berbatov, René Adler, Paulo Sergio, Bum-kun Cha and Zé Roberto, who were presented to the crowd ahead of the Bundesliga game against Schalke 04 at the BayArena.
A very special weekend at the BayArena came to a wonderful conclusion on that Sunday with the ‘Day of tradition’. Around 3,500 Bayer 04 fans came to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium in the morning to see the Legends take on the Bundesliga Allstars. The Whites against Reds game was very entertaining. No wonder as former Werkself players like Zé Roberto, Paulo Sergio, Juan, Ulf Kirsten, Stefan Kießling, Simon Rolfes, Dimitar Berbatov, Falko Götz and many others showed off their ability to help create a brilliant atmosphere in the stands.
Top flight since 1979: 40 years in the Bundesliga, a roller-coaster ride with lots of highs. All of that is available on a two-DVD set that covers the biggest moments for the Werkself over the last 04 decades and provides entertaining, behind-the-scenes outtakes. Click HERE for the online shop.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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