There's something about playing TSG Hoffenheim in the first home game of the season. This will be the third time Bayer 04 have kicked off their home campaign against Hoffenheim. The first time was on 15 August 2009, which was a special date in the Leverkusen club's history. The match against TSG was the opening fixture at the rebuilt BayArena. And it was also a day of celebration for the Werkself pros and supporters alike: Away from the unpopular temporary home in Düsseldorf after a period of six months and finally back in familiar surroundings.
The Bayer 04 team, playing Hoffenheim in front 28,000 fans, were first out of the blocks and were clearly determined not to allow the visitors to spoil the opening party. However, patience was a definite virtue on that day. After the team, under coach Jupp Heynckes, had squandered a number of chances from Tranquillo Barnetta, Sami Hyypiä and Stefan Kießling, the only goal of the game was scored by Kießling on 67 minutes: Renato Augusto put the ball in from the right, it was backheeled to his fellow striker by Eren Derdiyok for a tap-in from close range.
The second time Bayer 04 met TSG in the first home game of the season was the opening fixture in the 2015/16 season. The Werkself came out on top again with Kießling playing a decisive role. Just before the break, the goal-getter scored to level at 1-1 after the TSG keeper Oliver Baumann parried a shot from Wendell. 'Kies' made his name as a bogeyman for the team from the Kraichgau and he lived up to that with his tenth goal against TSG. Steven Zuber had given Hoffenheim the lead on five minutes – the first goal conceded at home by the Werkself in 874 minutes after Bernd Leno had kept so many clean sheets at the BayArena. Julian Brandt, off the subs bench for just seven minutes, scored the deserved winner to make it 2-1 on 71 minutes after a counter-attack ending with an assist from Admir Mehmedi.
Bayer 04 and Hoffenheim face each other on Saturday for the third time in the opening Bundesliga fixture at Leverkusen. From a Werkself point of view, it will be good if the record is maintained.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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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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