The U20 Women began their preparations for the new Regionalliga West campaign on Monday with 24 outfield players and three goalkeepers. The U17 Girls, who will compete in the U17 Regionalliga West following the abolition of the U17 Junior Bundesliga, will begin their preparations on Monday 22 July. The U19 team, which will consist of players from both teams and will play in the newly founded U19 league of the West German Football Association (WDFV), already had their first friendly last Sunday,14 July. With nine U20 and four U17 players, the Black-and-Reds drew 2-2 with FV Rübenach.
The film "Sieger sein" ("Be a Winner") addresses socially relevant topics such as cohesion, team spirit, motivation and real integration through football. With its realistic, gritty and emotional narrative style, the film sends out a clear signal against racism and in favour of respectful coexistence. This is one of the reasons why the film was awarded the FBW rating ‘particularly valuable’ by the German Film and Media Rating. The German Football Association (DFB) is also a partner. The Bayer 04 U13 and U15 girls' teams watched the story of Mona, who fled from Syria to Berlin, together as part of a team evening in Leverkusen.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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