
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.

The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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