At the original sites there are information boards and other optical attractions. These show fans and visitors in a very approachable fashion what happened there since the founding of the club in 1904.
NK12 board member Oliver 'Wuppi' Willutzki explains how this project came about: "About five years ago we got a tip that there was still an old pillar from the 'Stadion am Stadtpark' ground of 1932 in the city park. That was the crucial event for us to set up the football tour route. Then we did research into other historic venues in the city and and then began to set it up."
One stand-out sight is the reproduction of the old entrance to the Stadion am Stadtpark in its original position. Large signs on the lamp posts lead visitors to the next stop on the route. For example, a corner arc has been painted in the Neulandpark – exactly where the ‘Dhünn pitch’ was, which was the first home ground for the Leverkusen football players up to 1932.
Leverkusen's mayor Uwe Richrath was at the unveiling and opening of the football route. "We want to tell the impressive story of this club. Bayer 04 and the Werkself are part and parcel of the city of Leverkusen," said the 60-year-old. "This project is terrific!"
The Leverkusen football route is not only visible in situ. NK 12 have made this Black and Red experience accessible to Werkself fans throughout Germany and worldwide. Click HERE for the online version of the route with a host of videos.
For the initiators of the tour the highlight was and is bringing the special history of the Werkself to the people. Willutzki: "The club was founded by workers and reached the top flight for the first time in 1951. The players have played with the cross on their shirts for over 80 years – and not for commercial purposes but for reasons of identification. Bayer 04 are undoubtedly a club with tradition."
The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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