Bayer 04 will be accepting food donations for the Leverkusen Foodbank ahead of the game at the collection points around the ground from the time the stadium opens at 1.30pm until kick-off at 3.30pm. The foodbank is primarily asking for non-perishable food and hygiene articles. Find out more about the campaign and which items are most needed HERE.
Bayer 04 is using the last three Bundesliga home games of the year to say thanks to some fan clubs for their amazing support in 2024. The previous game against Heidenheim saw fan clubs that have existed for 10-15 years honoured, while today it will be those that have been around for 20-30 years. CEO Fernando Carro will be presenting awards at half-time.
The half-time break will also see Bayer 04 Sportförderung gGmbH present its annual volunteers award on the German FA’s volunteer appreciation ‘Danke ans Ehrenamt’ matchday.
The Werkself are unbeaten in their last 10 home meetings with St. Pauli, winning six and drawing four. The last encounter at the BayArena ended in a 2-1 victory back on 10 April 2011. You can read more about some of the interesting fixtures between the sides over the last 50 years HERE.
The Kiezkicker finally got their first home goal and win of the season last weekend as they beat Holstein Kiel 3-1, although it still means they have earned the majority of their points on the road. Find out more about today’s opponents in our profile piece.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Matthias Jöllenbeck to referee this game. The 37-year-old has previously overseen six Werkself fixtures (W3, D2, L1). His assistants are Jonas Weickenmeier and Mark Borsch; Pascal Müller is the VAR.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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