
The main focus of the project is on social commitment, which Bayer 04 have actively supported and greatly valued for many years.
Bayer 04 were a pioneer in the Bundesliga in 1999 with the introduction of a service for visually impaired fans who now have the chance to follow Werkself matches from the South Stand at the BayArena. Wheelchair users have their own covered area in the South Stand with a good view and a seat for their carer. During the #MorethanFootball Campaign Week, the Bayer 04 Teens Club have organised special day for members and friends with and without visual impairment: At the home game against Wolfsburg on Sunday sensitisation on this issue is centre stage with a special – that is blind – stadium tour and a blind football game. During the Werkself match the Teens can learn about the service of the reporters for the visually impaired and watch a Werkself match from a new perspective.
In addition, 25 teenagers from Austria Vienna will visit their Leverkusen partners in the Scort Foundation from 2 to 9 April. The foundation is responsible for the development and organisation of the Football Club Social Alliance. Since 2009, Bayer 04 have not only been involved in Europe (Ukraine, Kosovo) but also worldwide in Colombia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Palestine, Sudan and Jordan. A total of 1,400 Young Coaches have already been trained worldwide and they have looked after 30,000 children.
In addition, Bayer 04 have long supported community projects. Since 2005, the Bayer 04 Sportförderung gGmbH has presented the Volunteer Award, with the winners receiving a total of €16,000, to socially committed clubs in the area covered by the Middle Rhine and Lower Rhine Associations.
Bayer 04 members of staff, players and coaches continue to be involved in the 'Wir(04)helfen' day of action in a range of projects to renovate or improve kindergarten or children's homes covering gardening work, building huts and much more. In recent years Bayer 04 have made €30,000 available annually. The 'Einfach Fußball Cup' charity tournament has been held twice a year since 2010 to support children and young people with physical and mental disabilities.

Bayer 04 have comfortably reached the DFB Pokal second round thanks to a 4–0 victory away to Liga 3 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Patrik Schick put the Werkself ahead in the first 45 in the first competitive match under head coach Carles Martínez with debuts for new signings Miguel Gutiérrez, Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. After the break, Lucas Vázquez (47'), Nathan Tella (69') and Christian Kofane (79') also found the back of the net.
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Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.
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Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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With the 2026/27 season set to kick off with a DFB Pokal tie away to SV Wehen Wiesbaden (Saturday, 22 August, 13:00 CEST), the squad numbers for two Werkself players have now been confirmed. New signing Afonso Moreira will wear the number 9, which he has already worn in pre-season friendlies. Lucas Vázquez is switching from number 21 to number 17 – the number he wore successfully at Real Madrid for many years.
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