In the South Stand at the BayArena there are a total of 40 places available for people with mobility problems who have to use wheelchairs. Of course, this also includes a seat for each carer. "The service for the disabled is equally as important to a football club as the exclusive space for a VIP guest or a beer for the fan. Happily this service is now a common thing and standard in the stadiums," reports the Bayer 04 fan and disabled liaison officer Andreas 'Paffi' Paffrath.
Each away club receives five tickets for the wheelchair spaces and the other 35 spaces are on a waiting list and people can register their interest via the Bayer 04 hotline.
Bayer 04 have provided a service for the blind in association with the 'Sehhunde' fan club since 1999. Blind and visually impaired fans can follow home games in a special section of the South Stand. To be able to follow the course of the game to the maximum, there are specially trained reporters for the blind. "I take off my hat to how our blind fans are able to analyse a game. You can't recognise they haven't seen a single incident," said Andreas 'Paffi' Paffrath.
A total of 20 seats in the South Stand have been set up so that visually impaired fans can receive an audio commentary via a headphone connection. Tickets for this section are also available via the Bayer 04 hotline.
There have also been 24 allocated seats in Block F5 for the deaf and hard of hearing since the 2017/2018 season. People with hearing problems can show picture cards at the food outlets to facilitate the process of ordering food and drink. There are also assistants trained in sign language available in Block F5.
The #morethanfootball Action Weeks started on Monday 21 March and run to 14 April. The aim is to highlight how football clubs can live up to their social commitment through a range of activities. The global project initiated by the European Football for Development Network offers participating clubs and organisations the opportunity through a range of theme days to inform their supporters and fans of their own activities in the area of community and social responsibility both on and off the pitch and thereby increase awareness of the role of football within society.
The Werkself took part in the campaign last year. Bayer 04 will again present a range of activities on the forthcoming theme days. That includes today's on accessibility with others covering the subjects of social inclusion awareness, sustainability and climate protection, mental health and much more.
The Werkself and the Bayer 04 Women’s team have also draw attention to the Action Weeks in their recent home games. In addition, the campaign is being supported this year by the Werkself player Robert Andrich and Juliane Wirtz of the Bayer 04 Women's team in their roles as ambassadors.
Robert Andrich: "Football is more than just 90 minutes. I've been impressed by the many projects already running here at Bayer 04 on a wide range of themes – whether that's diversity, sustainability or inclusion. For me that's an essential element these days. As a football club you have the chance to use your charisma for important community and social issues. It's about responsibility and active tolerance – on and off the pitch. That's what we stand for."
Juliane Wirtz: "We all began playing football for the same reasons – for fun and love of the game and we are all the same in that respect. Therefore I think it's important that I as an individual and also the club not only stand up for diversity in football during the weeks of action but also for 365 days a year. I'm happy that campaigns like this provide a suitable stage for socially relevant subjects."
The last home game of the season for the Bayer 04 Women against RB Leipzig on Saturday (12:00 CEST) will be a special experience for fans. As part of the family matchday, Bayer 04 are offering fans a wide-ranging programme of events in and around the Ulrich Haberland Stadium similar to the game against Werder Bremen. This will include three special prizes for supporters to win.
Show moreBayer 04 claimed a comfortable 2-0 win against Augsburg in their penultimate home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Patrik Schick and Emiliano Buendia got the goals in the first half.
Show moreBayer 04 host Augsburg at the BayArena this Saturday for Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game against the 10th-placed Bavarians, including the ‘Finally Red’ fan campaign.
Show moreThe first of the Werkself’s remaining 04 fixtures of this season comes on Saturday at home to Augsburg (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Ahead of the Matchday 31 encounter, head coach Xabi Alonso reflected on previous weeks, spoke about goals for the remainder of the campaign and also Jonathan Tah.
Show moreAugsburg have enjoyed an excellent run of form this year and come to the BayArena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) full of confidence as they take on the Werkself. Jess Thorup’s team boast one of the meanest defences in the Bundesliga and harbour real hope of securing European qualification this season. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents.
Show more