The founding is accompanied by the decision to actively shape the future of women's football in Germany together in a sustainable manner, to develop potential and to maximise professionalisation through significant investment. In accordance with the adopted statutes, the FBL e.V. also elected a three-member executive committee, headed by president Katharina Kiel (Eintracht Frankfurt). The committee, which will represent the interests of the club association, is completed by first vice president Veronica Saß (Bayern Munich) and second vice president Florian Zeutschler (SGS Essen). Following the founding ceremony, the first constitutional meeting of the FBL e.V. took place with the representatives of all the founding clubs.
"Today is historic, because the founding of the FBL e.V. is the biggest step in the development of women's football in Germany to date," said Linda Schöttler, manager Women's football at Bayer 04: "Since I took over the department 16 years ago, we have long since been overtaken by some international leagues. Today's founding act has created the basis for us to move forward. The real work is only just beginning."
In recent months, the clubs have driven forward a joint process to strengthen women's football in Germany. Following the successful collaboration in the "Geschäftsplan Frauen-Bundesliga Projekt GbR", the FBL e.V. has now been created. Bayer 04 and the other clubs have joined forces in this organisation to ensure the modern, professional and sustainable development of the league and to further increase the economic performance of professional women's football.
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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