
Bayer 04 fans will remember the Finally Red campaign on matchday 33 last season. In the crucial derby at home to FC Köln, where the Werkself stayed up with a 2-2 draw against the neighbours from Cologne, the home end was sea of red.
This season, Bayer 04 are battling at the other end of the table: The Werkself want to return to Europe. And the fans want to repeat the approach to the last four games of the campaign with the Finally Red campaign, originally launched by the NK12 supporters club for the 2009 DFB Cup final.
"Back to Europe – Everyone off to Bremen in red" - NK12, Fan Liaison and Bayer 04 have conscientiously set the wheels in motion early on. The final away fixture is on Saturday 5 May when Werder Bremen entertain Bayer 04 on matchday 33. There are 3,200 standing tickets available to the Werkself. That will only be the case if enough interest is shown early doors for the trip to Bremen.
In order to make sure as many fans as possible travel, NK12 are organising a joint order to make it easy to get hold of match tickets. And you don't have to be a member of NK12. Every fan with a Bayer 04 season ticket and has no outstanding debts can order the tickets from NK12 using their customer reference (= membership number, for example on the season card). NK12 are organising at least two coaches to Bremen (tickets cost 20 Euros). Members of the supporters group registering for coach travel will receive a Finally Red T-shirt free of charge.
Applications are now being taken at bus@nk12.de. Moreover: Bayer 04 drew 0-0 at Bremen 30 years ago in the last four of the UEFA Cup to go through to the final. The Werkself won the first leg 1-0. This May might well provide the opportunity to take the decisive step to returning to Europe next term.
Further information on the Finally Red campaign will be available at a fans forum on Friday 23 February at 19.04 CET at the Stadioneck bar on Bismarckstraße. All fans are welcome to attend.


Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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