
The Werkself will play the current champions of Azerbaijan (Qarabag), Norway (Molde) and Sweden (BK Häcken). Bayer 04 will meet all three clubs for the first time.
Fernando Carro, CEO, was at the draw in Monaco along with director of licensed teams Thomas Eichin: "I'm looking forward to the interesting opponents in our group who we will have the necessary respect for. Winning the group can be our only target. The euphoria around reaching the semi-finals last year has given us desire for more – we want to go for it again."
And Simon Rolfes, sporting managing director, also talked about the opponents: "First of all, I'm very much looking forward to seeing Andrey Lunev again after his move to Qarabag. Then we play two Scandinavian teams in Molde and Häcken who are perhaps not that well-known. But last season we saw in Union Saint-Gilloise how much quality these teams can have. It's a good group without a doubt. Our aim is to go through whoever the opponents are."
The first matchday is on Thursday 21 September. The group stage ends on Thursday 14 December. The kick-off times this season are 18.45 and 21.00. Fixture details should be known by Saturday afternoon at the latest. Bayer 04 will communicate these immediately on the club media channels.

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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