The new coronavirus protection order for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia came into effect yesterday (Wednesday) immediately introduces the 2G rule (proof of vaccination or recovery) in the areas of culture and entertainment. This also applies to sporting events. Bayer 04 have already operated the 2G rule for Werkself home games for some time. The new factor is: The 2G rule now applies to people aged 16 and above. Here are the home game FAQs.
In addition to digital proof of vaccination or recovery, official photo ID (identity card, passport or driving licence) must be presented at the stadium entry points. Access to the BayArena will only be permitted on production of the two documents.
UEFA have appointed the Greek referee Anastasios ‘Tasos’ Sidiropoulos for tonight’s game. The 42-year-old has already been in charge of 20 Europa League matches including a 4-0 win for the Werkself against Slavia Prague almost ten years ago. It is the second match in the current Europa League campaign for Sidiropoulos. Have a good game.
Werkself LIVE will be available at tonight’s home game against the Scots at the BayArena – alternatively you can view the free matchday magazine online. The new Bayer 04 flyer provides interesting stats and facts on the match between the Werkself and team second in the Scottish Premiership. In addition there is a poster of the Ecuadorian summer signing Piero Hincapie on the reverse. HERE is the e-paper.
The Werkself and Celtic had never met before the meeting at the end of September – the Seoane team could maintain a perfect record against the top Scottish side with a win tonight. The omens are good.
Today’s visitors have not done at all well on German soil to date: 6 of their 7 seven away games in Germany in the Europa League or the UEFA Cup ended in defeat (1 draw), most recently against RB Leipzig in October 2018. On the other hand, Bayer 04 have not lost a single game in 14 home matches in the Europa League group stages (11 wins, 3 draws). No other team in the history of the competition has played as many games at home without losing a single match.
In addition to the Europa League match, Thursday is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. For three years, the Werkself have joined together with the Zonta Club Leverkusen in supporting the worldwide campaign ‘Orange your City’.
In the past, the BayArena has been light up in orange for the whole evening along with other buildings in Leverkusen such as the Water Tower, the Museum Morsbroich and the Christuskirche church in Wiesdorf to make a clear statement against violence against women.
Bayer 04 are again supporting the campaign this year. However, it is not possible to light up the stadium due to the Europa League match but the Werkself remain in full support of the campaign.
Following last weekend’s big game against Wolfsburg, Bayer 04 Women face another exciting challenge as they visit Hoffenheim to kick off Matchday 3 in the Google Pixel Bundesliga on Friday (kick-off: 18:30 CEST).
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Under the slogan ‘Holidays without War’, 60 children from war-torn Ukraine took part in the summer camp organised by the German-Ukrainian association Blau-Gelbes Kreuz in Leverkusen and the surrounding area in August. The children aged between 10 and 14 – many of whom have lost their parents in the war – come from the Ukrainian twin towns of Leverkusen, Cologne and Monheim am Rhein: Nikopol, Dnipro and Volodymyr. Bayer 04, Bayer AG and TSV Bayer 04 supported the camp to mark its 10th anniversary, enabling even more children and young people than in previous years to spend a few carefree days’ holiday away from the war in the Rhineland.
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Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
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Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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