Bayer 04 have organised the sixth district matchday in the current campaign for this game. The centre of attention this time is on Manfort. The ‘LEV-Szene’86’ fan club is opening the doors of their clubhouse from 17:00 CET for a family fun day with plenty of chances to join in (address: Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 2G, 51373 Leverkusen).
One of the highlights: The former Werkself players Stefan Kießling, now honorary captain and club representative, plus Walter Posner, one of the promotion hero's from 1979, will take part in an interview on site. Fans who do not have a ticket for tonight's game can also follow the match together on screens at the clubhouse.
Under the motto ‘TOGETHER! STOP HATE. BE A TEAM’ German professional football with its annual, league-wide matchday campaign this weekend is again sending out a clear signal for social cohesion. And Bayer 04 are happy to be involved. The unmistakable message of ‘GEMEINSAM UNTERM KREUZ’ (Together under the Cross) will be displayed throughout the BayArena. In addition, fans can get information on the east side of the stadium concourse on projects against violence in teenage relationships at a Zonta club Leverkusen stand.
It is also possible to do a good turn for animals in Leverkusen at this home match: From today until the end of the season, money from drinks deposit donations will go to the animal protection organisation Tierschutz Leverkusen e.V. Each donated deposit is equivalent to two euros. Collection containers are available on the bottom tier of the BayArena in the immediate vicinity of the exits and also opposite Blocks SD3/D3 in the North Stand.
Over €50,000 has be donated this season for different projects in and around Leverkusen. Tierschutz Leverkusen e.V is the fourth and final recipient of donations in the current campaign.
Will Bayer 04 again be able to strike early on in tonight's match? Statistically there is a big chance as the Werkself are currently the most dangerous team in the league in the early stages of a match with 35 goals scored in the first half and eleven in the opening 15 minutes.
VfL Bochum come to the BayArena on the back of four defeats in succession and with no goals scored in the last three away games at Leverkusen. Other stats on VfL: The average of 109 duels per game is the highest number in the league and Bochum other Bundesliga team the highest percentage of long balls (18 %).
When Dieter Hecking took over as coach at Bochum in the Hinrunde immediately before the home game against Bayer 04 (1-1), VfL had only picked up one point from the first nine games in the Bundesliga. The gap for the team then bottom the table to the play-off place was seven points. What has happened at Castroper Straße since then? The lowdown on our next opponents.
Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of kick-off can take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday magazine, which includes key facts and stats on the match, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. HERE is the e-paper.
The German Football Association (DFB) has put Sven Jablonski in charge of today's game. The 34-year-old referee has previously officiated 13 Bundesliga games involving the Werkself (nine wins, one draw and three defeats). Jablonski's assistants today are Sascha Thielert and Lasse Koslowski and Günter Perl is in action as the VAR.
The game will be broadcast live on DAZN. As ever, supporters unable to be at the match can follow the game on Werkself Radio. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep fans up-to-date. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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