The two teams in the final have been confirmed for nearly weeks. The identity of the match officials for the 77th DFB Cup final was revealed on Saturday morning: The German Football Association have opted for Tobias Welz, one of the most experienced referees. The man from Wiesbaden is assisted by Rafael Foltyn and Martin Thomsen on the touchlines. Patrick Ittrich is the fourth official and the video assistant is Felix Zwayer.
As usual, Germany’s domestic cup final – to be broadcast in 193 countries –is available free-to-air on ARD. It is also on pay TV broadcaster Sky. Fans of the Black and Reds can listen to commentary on Werkself Radio and follow the match via live text commentary.
The big black and red live show for the final! From 19.04 CET, Bayer 04 will again present the ‘19:04 – The Show for the #FinaLEV’ on Facebook and YouTube from the Schwadbud. Today’s guest will be the Leverkusen old hand Peter Hermann, assistant coach for the DFB Cup final win in 1993. René Adler, goalkeeper in the last final involving the Werkself in 2009, will also join in and honorary captain Stefan Kießling will provide updates from Berlin. There will also be other surprises during the show – get ready and tune in!
“Bring the cup back to LEV – make history”: These emotional words are to be seen in the stands at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin to the left and right of the Marathon Gate. That is where the Werkself fans would have been seated. To provide support for the team, the seats in that area will be covered with black and red T-shirts – so the “North Stand” will be in Berlin. This also makes it clear: The whole club is longing for the second DFB Cup win in the club’s history.
The DFB official match magazine provides a review of the season and gives fans, who unfortunately have to watch the game at home on TV, all the information required on the final and the two finalists. This includes, from a black and red perspective, the DFB youth coach Christian Wück discussing the Leverkusen youngster Florian Wirtz, who could be the youngest-ever player in the history of the DFB Cup final. And Michael Ballack, who played for both clubs, reveals who he believes should lift the trophy. Click HERE for the online edition of the DFB match magazine.
This news will interest anyone backing the team from Leverkusen: The special edition #B04RLIN Werkself Magazine is out! We look back with black and red contemporaries such as Andreas Thom and René Adler at the three previous final appearances of Bayer 04. Plus: in-depth interviews with sporting director Simon Rolfes and cup specialist Lukas Hradecky. Click HERE for the online version, print copies have been posted out to Club members.
The traditional ecumenical service held on the day of the DFB Cup final has a new format this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of a service at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin, the representatives of the Christian churches plus DFB president Fritz Keller have produced a 13-minute video message of devotion for the football fans.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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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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