The Special Champions League is promoted by EFDN (European Football Development Network) and the European Union (EU) and thereby represents an international extension to the ‘Einfach Fußball’ activities at Bayer 04 that have been running for years.
Bayer 04 have worked alongside partners on the Einfach Fußball programme initiated by Bayer AG since 2010. This has given young people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to be regularly involved in their favourite hobby of football at over 20 locations throughout Germany. This also includes inclusive tournament formats: The ‘Einfach Fußball’ tournaments, held indoors and outdoors twice a year in Leverkusen, have been a great success with over 500 participants taking part - and now it moves on to the European stage.
The EU initiative will be staged in the form of five international tournaments with different hosts. The first tournament is in the Portuguese capital Lisbon on Wednesday 8 February. Leverkusen are joined by Werder Bremen as German representatives. Also involved are: Fundação Benfica and Special Olympics from Portugal, Fundación Alcoraz and Fundación Levante from Spain, NEC Nijmegen and Only Friends (Ajax) from the Netherlands, Foundation 92 and Everton in the Community from the UK, KAS Eupen from Belgium plus Juventus for Special from Italy.
Bayer 04 will welcome the other teams to Leverkusen on 7 June of this year.
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Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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