
The Bio-Brotbox organisation has been active for many years in numerous German cities and regions in promoting healthy child nutrition. The campaign involves giving first year schoolchildren reusable lunch boxes with ingredients from organic farming. Bayer 04 have supported this campaign in Leverkusen in recent years and have often been directly involved in filling the boxes at NaturGut Ophoven. CEO Michael Schade, Wendell (pictured above in 2016 with the mayor Uwe Richrath) and Stefan Kießling have all helped to fill the lunch boxes with healthy items.
This year, Bayer 04 are supporting the thirteenth campaign in Leverkusen. The club has donated 1,800 muesli bars for the boxes to be handed to 1,620 first years shortly after they start school at the beginning of September. The communal packing event will certainly involve another member of the Werkself when the date is confirmed.
This year’s patron also has a very close connection to Bayer 04: Wilfried Schmickler (63),born in Hitdorf, is a cabaret artist and has always been a passionate supporter of the Black and Reds. “A healthy diet helps children feel good and learn well. Education is the most important issue at the moment where there is still a lot to achieve,” said Schmickler at the campaign press conference.

The DFL (German Football League) has published its first report on sustainability in German professional football. The report highlights substantial developments in the league and at all 36 clubs in Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 in recent years. Bayer 04 also played a part in the creation of the report and were involved in compiling the content.
Show more
Werkself TV shows highlights of the 2-0 win at Olympiacos in the first leg of the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league...
Show more
The Werkself beat Olympiacos 2-0 in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off first leg to claim a crucial victory in the Greek capital. After a focused first-half display with a number of presentable chances, Patrik Schick crowned a textbook counter to hand the Werkself the lead on the hour (60’). The Czech rounded off his brace when he headed in from a corner just 144 seconds later. Bayer 04 maintained their lead with aplomb to achieve a good position for the return leg in Leverkusen.
Show more
Bayer 04 and Olympiacos had only met twice before the current UEFA Champions campaign. After the encounter on Matchday 7 of this season’s league phase, the Werkself travel to face the Greek side for the second time in just four weeks for the knockout play-off first leg. The Black and Reds were dominant for large spells in mid-January but lost 2-0 after missing a number of presentable chances. The Werkself aim to do better on Wednesday night to “seize the chance for revenge,” as managing director sport Simon Rolfes put it. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show more