The Werkself showed what they are capable of in the 3-2 away win in Rasgrad. Now it's time for the same in the Bundesliga. After the defeats against Gladbach, Wolfsburg and at Bayern Munich there is a huge desire to pick up the first three points in the new league campaign. Last season, Heiko Herrlich's team managed to earn a deserved 2-0 win against Mainz 05 thanks to an improved performance in the second half. However: The team from Rhine-Hesse are as yet unbeaten in the new season with seven points and in recent years they have not made it easy for the Werkself. In the 12 league games at the BayArena between two sides, Mainz have won four and drawn three times. All good reasons to look forward to an exciting game.
Talking about excitement. The Werkself and Mainz 05 have met 24 times in the Bundesliga. The return is identical for both teams: 10 wins, four draws, 10 defeats - and there is also parity in the number of goals scored with 35 each. The Black and Reds appear to be a favourite opponent for Mainz. FSV only secured 10 wins against the Werkself (and SC Freiburg) and also not scored more often in against Bayer 04. Hopefully that will be the end of it…
Regardless of the fact this fixture has produced an average of 2.92 goals per game, there will certainly be a spectacle on Sunday. The home game against Mainz is aimed at the family. This weekend brings the sixth family day at the club, presented by pronova BKK: In addition to reduced ticket prices, young and old Bayer 04 fans can look forward to numerous attractions in and around the BayArena ahead of kick-off as well as, hopefully, a successful game for the Werkself. Youngsters, above all, will have plenty to enjoy: There will be a host of events to join in with such as the works lion pass XXL. FIFA fans should not miss out on one part of the programme - Bayer 04 e-sportsman Marvin 'M4RV' Hintz will reveal some of his tips and tricks live.
This season's home match between Bayer 04 and Mainz 05 will be refereed by Marco Fritz. The 40-year-old from Baden-Württemberg has been a FIFA referee since 2012 and he has officiated in Germany's top flight since 2009 taking charge of 125 games – 12 involving Bayer 04. The record from a Werkself perspective: six wins, two draws, four defeats and no red cards. The Werkself have good memories of his last visit to the BayArena: In February of this year, he refereed the DFB Cup tie against Werder Bremen with a 4-2 victory taking Bayer 04 through to the semi-finals. Marco Fritz will be assisted on Sunday by Dominik Schaal and Marcel Pelgrim with Sören Storks as the fourth official. The VAR referees are Deniz Aytekin und Lasse Koslowski.
Anyone using the the cycle path in Schlebuschrath in the direction of the BayArena should keep their eyes peeled. In recent days the transformer station of the Leverkusen energy company (EVL) as had a new coat of paint. A similar project was carried out a few weeks ago on Bismarckstraße serving as a welcome to the sports city of Leverkusen. The small building on the cycle path will now also have the Bayer 04 club colours providing a clear signal: Keep pedalling as fast as you can to the BayArena.
For anyone yet to make up their mind: Tickets are still available for the game. And information for everybody: As with every game, there is the live text commentary on bayer04.de and on smart phone apps. Anyone wanting to experience the stadium atmosphere with commentary (in German) can tune in to the Werkself Radio. Via the official Bayer 04 social media channels of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram there is a host of information available before, during and after the game ranging from line-ups, photos and the most important events during the game. The matchday hashtag is #B04M05. The target is: Act together the first home win in the new season. In that spirit: Here we go, the Werkself!
...and after the game the match-winner from the Europa League game in Rasgrad will drop by to the Schwadbud: Kai Havertz is the guest at the #W11Fantalk and he will analyse the 90 minutes against Mainz with stadium announcer Tobias Ufer. Do you have any questions for our number 29? If so, put them via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #W11Fantalk. The Fantalk starts around 18.00 CET – also on bayer04.de plus our Facebook page.
Video game producer Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the nominees for the Men's and Women's Team of the Year (TOTY) for EA Sports FC 26. With Patrik Schick and Alejandro Grimaldo for the men and Vanessa Fudalla for the women, there are three Bayer 04 players included. Fans of the Black-and-Reds can vote for each top XI of 2025 from now until 18:59 CET on Monday 12 January.
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The Werkself host Mainz at the BayArena on matchday 24 in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The match is on Saturday, 28 February, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
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The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.
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The Werkself are back! Following the two-week winter break, head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team began the new year with an open session on Sunday. After Robert Andrich and his teammates arrived in Leverkusen yesterday for the official check-in, they got back down to business a day later in front of around 1,200 fans at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion. The report from the Werkself's first session of 2026.
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