It all started with the home game against FC Köln (0-1) in the middle of March when the Werkself played in a cream white special shirt. The limited edition shirt was sold out within a few hours of going on sale. The proceeds from the 2,000 shirts went to Ukraine aid locally in Leverkusen. In cooperation with the City of Leverkusen, the community foundation allocated the funds to regionally active bodies. The joint derby shirt campaign involving Bayer 04, Barmenia and JAKO was just one of many activities where the Werkself made a stand for peace.
In addition, shirts and jackets from the away game at Bayern Munich (1-1), signed by Bayer 04 players Jonathan Tah and Florian Wirtz, were auctioned. The four-figure proceeds went to the donation fund at the Leverkusen community foundation.
Fan groups and ultras have got involved in recent weeks. Practical donations, including from Bayer 04 members of staff, plus all sorts of relief supplies have been collected and then transported to Ukraine with trucks and vans in several runs.
And the relief effort continues: In the last home game against Hertha Berlin (2-1) the Nordkurve12 Fan club again collected monetary donations in four figure sums to be used for purchasing supplies for Ukraine. On Good Friday, in liaison with the Workers' Samaritan Association (ASB), these will be taken to the Polish Ukrainian border to be used to support medical transport.
Up to now, around 1,000 Ukrainian citizens, mostly women and children, have arrived in Leverkusen. They are being looked after by the City and private individuals. Leverkusen is currently preparing for the arrival of more refugees. The sports hall on Görresstraße, in the immediate vicinity of the BayArena, is to be converted into emergency accommodation. The primary aim is to provide accommodation for the refugees and give them clothing, food and daily essentials but also to ensure integration into kindergarten and school life.
Bayer 04 is organising the integration of Ukrainian schoolchildren into the Bayer 04 Soccer School and the ‘Fußball bewegt’ campaigns. This gives the youngsters the opportunity to get involved in regular physical activity with the Black and Reds.
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
Show more
On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
Show more
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
