This game sees two teams in contrasting form face off. While the Werkself have won nine of their 10 Bundesliga games so far this season, Union have lost each of the last eight. The head-to-head record is also in favour of Leverkusen, having lost only one of 11 previous competitive encounters (six wins, four draws).
Bayer 04 are calling for food donations for the Leverkusener Tafel. We therefore ask our fans to get involved and contribute food. Prior to kick-off, the club will be accepting donations at the collection points in the East (B1/B2) and North-West (entrance area near the Stelzen motorway) areas of the stadium from 13:30. You can find more information and a detailed list of the food required HERE. If you have any further questions, you can contact us by e-mail (soziales@bayer04.de) or by phone ((+49) 0214 8660 273).
Due to construction work, the RE7 and RE48 lines are currently not running at Leverkusen Opladen station. There will be a rail replacement service for fans travelling via this station.
The Berlin club are currently 16th in the Bundesliga table with six points from 10 games. The Köpenickers have managed just one solidary draw from their last 13 competitive fixtures, also losing their last eight in a row in the league. It is Union’s worst start to a Bundesliga season since first reaching this level in 2019. During the week they claimed a surprise 1-1 draw away at Napoli in the UEFA Champions League. An end to their 12-game losing run will have given the team confidence to turn around their form. You can find out more about our opponents in lowdown.
In co-operation with RWTH Aachen University, Bayer 04 will conduct a survey on fan travel today. The survey is aimed at all stadium visitors and will take place on site at the BayArena as well as digitally via an online questionnaire. Traffic counts will also be carried out at various junctions. Participation in the survey would be of great importance for optimising climate-friendly mobility. Further information can be found HERE.
The second district matchday of the season will also take place today against Union. Over the past few days and weeks, everyone in Quettingen has been able to enjoy activities organised by and with the Werkself. The highlight was the penalty shootout tournament between Opladen and Quettingen, which was also attended by club representative Stefan Kießling, Bayer 04 men’s player Ayman Aourir and women’s player Sofia Cava Marin. All information about the district match days can be found HERE.
Anyone wanting to read key information before the game should take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday programme, offering the most important facts and stats on the game in compact form, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. Click HERE for the e-paper.
The German FA (DFB) has appointed Timo Gerach as today’s referee. The 36-year-old has previously overseen one competitive fixture involving Leverkusen, which was the 2-0 win at home to Bochum last season. Gerach’s assistants are Florian Heft and Dominik Schaal. The VAR is Bastian Dankert.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's game. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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