
The first district matchday of this season is centred around the Schlebusch district. In the weeks leading up to the clash against Bundesliga newcomers Kiel, local residents can look forward to numerous activities organised by and with Werkself.
The highlight will be the family festival, including the first penalty shootout tournament of the new district matchdays season. The event will take place on 3 October, the Day of German Unity, from 11am to 5pm on Schlebusch's market square. Whether you are a company team, a group of friends, a club team or a neighbourhood team, everyone is welcome to take part.
Conditions for participation:
In addition to the exciting tournament, visitors can look forward to a colourful family festival with lots of attractions. A bouncy castle, a wheel of fortune, a goal wall and much more will keep young and old entertained. Food and drink will also be well catered for.
On the day of the Werkself's match away at Hoffenheim next Saturday, 14 September, Bayer 04 mascot Brian the Lion will also have a stand on the Schlebusch market square and will be available for all photo requests.
There will also be plenty of other activities in Schlebusch. These include a visit to the Thomas Morus School on Wednesday, 18 September. Bayer 04 Women players Vanessa Haim and Estrella Merino Gonzalez will also be there.
The range of district shirts are also available again this season. The Schlebusch shirt is now available HERE.
You can find more information about the district matchdays HERE.

A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
Show more
The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
Show more
Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
Show more
For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
Show more
European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
Show more