Mission accomplished. Bayer 04 Leverkusen are German champions - and with five matchdays to spare! These historic scenes at the BayArena were not only the culmination of many months of sweat and toil in training, but also many unforgettable moments. Dazzing performances, wonder goals, comebacks. And all of this in front of and above all thanks to the fantastic support of the fans. So, in the end, Leverkusen won its well-deserved first Bundesliga title. One that also rewrites a few chapters in the history books of German professional football.
Bayer 04 are the 13th different club to win the domestic crown and the first 'new' one since VfL Wolfsburg in 2009. After 29 matchdays, the Werkself can mathematically no longer be caught by the chasing pack. Only twice in Bundesliga history has the title been decided earlier than in this season.
In the previous 11 years, it's always been the FC Bayern Munich players lifting the Meisterschale at the end of the campaign. But it's not only in recent weeks that Bayer 04 have looked like ending FCB's run. The Werkself have been top of the table on 24 of 29 matchdays this term, and haven't lost a single one of those 29 league games - something no other team have achieved in the history of the German top flight.
The Werkself have collected a remarkable 79 of a possible 87 points - more than ever before in the club's history. This record can of course be extended further in the remaining matches of the season.
Without doubt, head coach Xabi Alonso has been one of the many key figures behind this historic success. The club hierarchy of Werner Wenning, chairman of the shareholders committee, CEO Fernando Carro and managing director for sport Simon Rolfes placed great faith in the Spaniard when they appointed him in October 2022 - and he's repaid them with the league title.
The 42-year-old took charge with the Werkself in 17th place. In his first season as a first-team head coach, Alonso guided the side to sixth place and European qualification. After his first summer with the squad, the incredible run of now 43 games in all competitions without defeat began. There's never been a run like it in German football. What's more, Alonso boasts the highest ever points average for a Leverkusen boss with 2.2.
In his first full year as a head coach at professional level, Alonso already has a first domestic championship. The Spaniard has plenty of experience of winning trophies from his playing days, though - including three Bundesliga titles with Bayern and one with Real Madrid in Spain. Alonso is the ninth person to win the Bundesliga as both a player and coach, joining Hansi Flick, Niko Kovac, Thomas Schaaf, Matthias Sammer, Franz Beckenbauer, Felix Magath, Jupp Heynckes and Helmut Benthaus.
There's been huge potential in this young squad for years. Before this season, Rolfes and Co brought in experienced players like Granit Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann and Alejandro Grimaldo, as well as other talented players such as Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella and Arthur. They all brought a new structure to the Werkself's squad, and together with their fellow teammates created an irrepressible winning mentality.
And the fairytale season could get better still. Lukas Hradecky, Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz and Co are motivated to keep going, not just in the Bundesliga but in the DFB Cup and UEFA Europa League, too.
Bayer 04 are already in the final of the DFB Cup, where they'll meet 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the final in Berlin on 25 May. If they succeed, their first league title would become a first domestic double. It would also be just the second cup success after 1993.
In the Europa League, meanwhile, the 2-0 win at home to West Ham United a few days ago has put Alonso's men in a good position for the second leg of the quarter-final in London this Thursday. AC Milan or Roma await in the semi-fianls, with the final taking place three days before the cup final in Dublin.
But the Werkself pros aren't preoccupied with such scenarios yet. Even after this historic achievement of the first German championship, they'll keep doing what they've been doing - step by step. Just as they've been doing since the start of the season. But for now, they and, above all, their fans can continue to enjoy this unforgettable day. The dream has come true.
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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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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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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