Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04, watched the draw in person in Monaco and said afterwards: “We can look forward to an exciting Europa League season. Marseille and Lyon are big names in European football; in Dinamo Zagreb, we’ll be facing the Croatian serial champions; and the home match against Beşiktaş is sure to be something special too. Indeed, several of our opponents are clubs that have dominated their domestic leagues for many years and won numerous league titles. We’re approaching this competition with great anticipation – and with the clear ambition to play a very important role on the European stage again this season.”
“We’ve been drawn against some very attractive opponents, including some big names. It’s going to be a challenging sporting journey across Europe,” said managing director sport Simon Rolfes, adding: “We are really motivated going into this competition and we’re placing a special focus on it this season. Our aim is to reach the Round of 16 in March via the direct route – in other words, to finish among the top 16 teams.”
In the league phase, Afonso Moreira (previously at Lyon) and Facundo Medina (at Marseille) will face their former clubs, whilst Ernest Poku will be reunited with the Black and Reds as he now plays for Beşiktaş.
Matchday 1
Wednesday 16 September, 21:00 CEST: Bayer 04 vs NK Celje (Slovenia)
Matchday 2
Thursday 15 October, 18:45 CEST: Lech Poznań (Poland) vs Bayer 04
Matchday 3
Thursday 22 October, 18:45 CEST: OFI Crete (Greece) vs Bayer 04
Matchday 4
Thursday 5 November, 21:00 CET: Bayer 04 vs Marseille (France)
Matchday 5
Thursday 26 November, 18:45 CET: GNK Dinamo (Croatia) vs Bayer 04
Matchday 6
Thursday 10 December, 21:00 CET: Bayer 04 vs Beşiktaş (Turkey)
Matchday 7
Thursday 21 January 2027, 21:00 CET: Bayer 04 vs FC Salzburg (Austria)
Matchday 8
Thursday 28 January 2027, 21:00 CET: Lyon (France) vs Bayer 04
The knockout stages begin in mid-February 2027 with the play-offs and in mid-March 2027 with the Round of 16. The final will be played in Frankfurt on Wednesday 26 May 2027.
Tickets for the first group match at home go on sale on Thursday, 3 September, at 12:00 CEST. For the home match against Beşiktaş, tickets will not be sold to new members registered from 28 August 2026. As usual, Bayer 04 will announce all further information regarding ticket sales in advance via the club media channels. Please note: The international season ticket, which guarantees fans tickets for every 2026/27 UEL home match up to and including a possible semi-final, is already sold out.
In the 2026/27 Europa League campaign, Bayer 04 will be celebrating 40 years of European football. Alongside the exclusive kit, a European range also showcases the Werkself’s history in Europe. Further information is available HERE.
Auch in der UEFA Europa League sind Club-Touren für Bayer 04-Mitglieder geplant. Details zu den Reisen gibt Bayer 04 rechtzeitig auf den klubeigenen Kanälen bekannt.
The international break produced a full range of emotions for Bayer 04’s women. While four Leverkusen players were in play-off action to try and reach the World Cup, including two important goals, there were others in friendly action. Here’s a round-up of all the results…
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The NB Vintage Collection is here and available now! Members enjoy an exclusive priority purchase period (online shop only). Non-members will then be able to purchase items from Saturday 17 October (10:00 CEST). Sales will also begin at the same time at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt.
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Intercultural exchange: a youth team from Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, visited Leverkusen in the last few days. The players and staff from AD DUHA FC enjoyed a varied programme including training, a friendly - and a very special experience on Saturday afternoon.
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There will be a change at the top of the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH shareholder committee at the end of the year, with Werner Wenning stepping down from the Bundesliga club's control committee on 31 December 2026. Wolfgang Nickl, who has been part of the committee since March of this year, will take over the chairmanship on 1 January 2027.
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