News centre
Werkself
AFCON blog: Ben Seghir reaches semi-finals
Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
Show more
Werkself beaten 4-1 by Stuttgart at start of the year
The Werkself began 2026 with defeat, losing 4-1 at home to VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 16 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga. Jamie Leweling opened the scoring early, with Maximilian Mittelstädt making it 2-0 from a penalty before Leweling again and Deniz Undav increased the lead to 4-0 just before half-time. Alejandro Grimaldo's penalty reduced the deficit midway through the second period.
Show more
Matchday News #B04VfB: New stoppage time display for third straight Saturday primetime clash
The Werkself host VfB Stuttgart this evening (10 January, 18:30 CET), a side whose recent Bundesliga form has been indifferent but who have regularly produced top performances in the DFB Pokal and UEFA Europa League, and who have a key player back in the squad in striker Ermedin Demirovic. Off the pitch, the BayArena faithful will be able to see the remaining stoppage time live on the video screens. The Matchday News.
Show more
Hjulmand ahead of #B04VfB: ‘Love these games against top teams’
The Werkself face a tough challenge in the first game of 2026 when VfB Stuttgart visit the BayArena on Saturday, 10 January (kick-off: 18:30 CET). Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash, Kasper Hjulmand spoke about his impressions of training this week, anticipation of the start of the new calendar year and the personnel situation.
Show more
Our next opponents: Hoeneß looking forward to ‘tough opening game’
Just three points separate VfB Stuttgart and Bayer 04. The Swabians could draw level with the Werkself with a win at the BayArena on Saturday, 10 January (kick-off: 18:30 CET). However, Leverkusen has rarely proved to be a good place for the 2025 DFB Pokal winners. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreWomen
Derby tickets available: Women's home matches on open sale
Three of the Werkself's next four matches in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga are at home at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. All fans now have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the upcoming home games. The clash with newly promoted FC Nürnberg is followed two weeks later by the derby against FC Köln on Carnival Friday. Nine days later, Leverkusen will host TSG Hoffenheim. The latest information on match ticket sales at a glance.
Show more
Top scorer Cornelia Kramer: "We have a lot to build on"
In her debut season of 2024/25, Cornelia Kramer immediately became the top scorer for Bayer 04 Women. However, the Danish national team striker was stopped by an injury at the start of the new season. Now, just in time before the end of last year, she is fit again – and has extended her contract early until 2027. In this interview, the 23-year-old talks about the reasons for her decision and looks ahead.
Show more
Bayer 04’s new year schedule: Open training session on 4 January
After a two-week winter break, the Werkself resume training on Sunday, 4 January. The first session in 2026 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium starts at 11:00 and is open to fans. Bayer 04 look forward to welcoming supporters at the start of 2026. The Werkself schedule for the new year.
Show more
Bayer 04 extend contract with Cornelia Kramer
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with key player Cornelia Kramer by a further year. The Denmark international, who scored twelve goals in the Bundesliga last season, has penned a deal to 30 June 2027.
Show moreYouth
Restructure for U16 to U19 youth teams: Bayer 04 appoint Gerard Roca as Head of Coaching/Methodology
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed the Spaniard Gerard Roca as Head of Coaching/Methodology for the U16 to U19 youth teams. The 31-year-old most recently worked as coordinator of the Catalan national football teams and was previously instrumental in the successful youth development at the Spanish club CF Damm.
Show more
Youth teams review 2025: Thrilling final and historic progress in Youth League
Last-minute ecstasy, huge disappointment and a historic performance on the European stage - 2025 was a real emotional roller coaster, especially for the U19s. A rousing run in the knockout phase secured the team a place in the final of the German championships, where they lost by the narrowest of margins. Despite the departure of several key players, the young Werkself team quickly regained their usual strength and qualified for the knockout rounds in the UEFA Youth League for the first time at the end of the year. In 2025, youngsters Jeremiah Mensah and Montrell Culbreath made their debuts in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. The other youth teams also contributed great performances and a number of trophies to the collective Black and Red success, while the successful Bayer 04 Future Kids project broke new ground. Read on for the 2025 review of the youth teams.
Show more
Youth player parents donate nearly €3,500 to charity
This year - for the third time - the parents of the Bayer 04 youth players from the U8 to U15 age groups once again took part in the WDR Christmas Miracle. Under the motto "Goals against hunger in the world - parents in goal!", they organised their own fundraising campaign to once again actively support the important WDR campaign. The sum of €3,420 was handed over at the Glashaus in Essen in the middle of the week during the live programme.
Show more
Bayer 04 recognised as DFB talent support centre for women
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a women’s talent support centre. As announced by the DFB, 1 FC Köln, Union Berlin, RB Leipzig and Hamburger SV are also certified as performance or talent support centres from 1 January 2026 in addition to the Werkself.
Show more
Youth League: U19s away to Villarreal in last 16
The Bayer 04 U19s will face Villarreal CF in Spain in the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League round of 16. That was the result of the draw made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday afternoon.
Show moreMembership
Hradecky's successor: Mark Flekken new patron of Lions Club
Just in time for its 30th anniversary, the Lions Club is getting a new patron: Bayer 04 goalkeeper Mark Flekken is taking over the role from Lukas Hradecky, who showed great commitment and passion for the youngest Werkself fans in recent years. The Dutchman, who is himself the father of two daughters, will accompany Lions Club events and activities and be a role model for the children with his warm and positive manner.
Show more
Members meeting with Fernando Carro: ‘We do everything for our fans'
There was a very special event for 50 of the over 70,000 Bayer 04 Club members on the afternoon of the Bayer 04 season launch event: At the press conference room at the BayArena, CEO Fernando Carro fielded lots and somewhat different questions from the fans. The Spaniard, under whose leadership since 2018 the number of members at Bayer 04 has almost tripled, shared his personal insight into the most important decision of his life and his way of managing staff.
Show more
Season opener: Friendly against Pisa at the BayArena
The Werkself will welcome Serie A newcomers Pisa SC to the BayArena for a friendly on Tuesday, 5 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST / stadium opens: 15:00) as part of the season opener celebrations. Bayer 04 will offer fans a lively and varied supporting programme on the stadium concourse. Ahead of kick-off, both the men's and women's senior squads will be introduced on the pitch.
Show more
Bayer 04's service department reorganised
The 2023/24 double-winning season set new standards. Bayer 04 faced a number of challenges not only in sporting terms, but also operationally due to the increased number of enquiries. Unfortunately, the service provided was not always exemplary. In the meantime, however, the club has gone through a restructuring process. In recent months, not only have many organisational matters been initiated, but technical components have also been further developed - with a clear goal: to provide fast, competent and comprehensive help and information. Personal service has always been important to Bayer 04. And it has now been significantly optimised.
Show moreFans
Derby tickets available: Women's home matches on open sale
Three of the Werkself's next four matches in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga are at home at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. All fans now have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the upcoming home games. The clash with newly promoted FC Nürnberg is followed two weeks later by the derby against FC Köln on Carnival Friday. Nine days later, Leverkusen will host TSG Hoffenheim. The latest information on match ticket sales at a glance.
Show more
Tickets for the home game against FC St. Pauli
The Werkself host FC St. Pauli at the BayArena on matchday 22 in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The match is on Saturday, 14 February, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
Show more
Tickets for the home game against Mainz
The Werkself host Mainz at the BayArena on matchday 24 in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The match is on Saturday, 28 February, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.
Show moreBayer 04’s new year schedule: Open training session on 4 January
After a two-week winter break, the Werkself resume training on Sunday, 4 January. The first session in 2026 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium starts at 11:00 and is open to fans. Bayer 04 look forward to welcoming supporters at the start of 2026. The Werkself schedule for the new year.
Show moreeSports
EA Sports FC 26: Trio nominated for Team of the Year
Video game producer Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the nominees for the Men's and Women's Team of the Year (TOTY) for EA Sports FC 26. With Patrik Schick and Alejandro Grimaldo for the men and Vanessa Fudalla for the women, there are three Bayer 04 players included. Fans of the Black-and-Reds can vote for each top XI of 2025 from now until 18:59 CET on Monday 12 January.
Show more
#B04eSports in 2025: Club runners-up and first showdown winners in VBL history
A memorable 12 months: 2025 was a year marked by success, intense competition and groundbreaking innovations for the #B04eSports team. After ending the 2024/25 season as runners-up, the Leverkusen-based console pros got down to business in a new, completely restructured season model, in which showdowns rather than divisions were the decisive factor on the road to the final round of the German Club Championship. Bayer 04 quickly earned a place in the history books of the most prestigious competition in German eSports and secured some valuable advantages for the coming year. Bayer04.de takes a look back at 12 months full of passion and the determination to take the next step.
Show more
#B04eSports: Leverkusen team miss out on offline round again
The Leverkusen eSports players picked up just one point on Tuesday 16 December in the remaining three matches of the online preliminary round of Showdown Three in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. As a result, the #B04eSports team once again miss out on going through to the offline knockout phase and now head into the winter break.
Show more
#B04eSports: The battle for top 16 in Showdown three continues
Today, Tuesday 16 December (live on B04eSports Twitch channel from 18:00 CET), the Leverkusen eSports players face the final three matches of the online preliminary round of Showdown Three in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. In addition to 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and SV 07 Elversberg, they will play Fortuna Düsseldorf, who are still unbeaten in this third showdown. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
#B04eSports: Third showdown starts with six points
Two wins and one defeat - that was the result of the first three of six matches in the online preliminary round of Showdown Three in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. The Leverkusen eSports team had everything from bitter setbacks to dominant victories and spectacular comebacks against FC St. Pauli, Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Schalke 04 on Thursday, 11 December.
Show moreSustainability
Sustainability in 2025: Black and Red commitment to people and the environment in Leverkusen and around the world
Sustainability once again had many faces at Bayer 04 in 2025: In community activity, the club supported countless regional campaigns, including the Leverkusener Tafel, the Frauenennotruf Leverkusen e.V. and the homeless aid organisation "Kältegang". But the Black and Reds have also been involved in good causes around the world - including the Young Coaches training programmes in Uganda and Ecuador plus the Genuine World Cup in the USA, where the Inclusion Werkself competed. Bayer 04 was also fully committed to the environment and underwent external and independently certification in accordance with the European environmental management standard EMAS, for example, to analyse and optimise the club’s environmental efforts. Looking back at sustainability in 2025.
Show more
Werkself bring festive cheer to Leverkusen hospital
The Werkself rang in the Black and Red festive season with an emotional visit to Klinikum Leverkusen. Kristin Kögel, Melissa Friedrich and Louisa Remien from the Bayer 04 Women's team and Jonas Hofmann, Janis Blaswich and Niklas Lomb from the first team visited the young patients on the children's ward and, for the first time, on the ‘Zeitinsel’ children's palliative care unit. They brought a host of lovingly wrapped presents ensuring a big surprise for young and old alike.
Show moreYouth player parents donate nearly €3,500 to charity
This year - for the third time - the parents of the Bayer 04 youth players from the U8 to U15 age groups once again took part in the WDR Christmas Miracle. Under the motto "Goals against hunger in the world - parents in goal!", they organised their own fundraising campaign to once again actively support the important WDR campaign. The sum of €3,420 was handed over at the Glashaus in Essen in the middle of the week during the live programme.
Show more
Fernando Carro and Stefan Kießling at the Day of Volunteering in the BayArena
As part of the joint commitment of Bayer 04 and the City of Leverkusen to volunteering, the annual Volunteer Day took place in the 19nullvier Lounge at the BayArena. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, Stefan Hebbel, Mayor of the City of Leverkusen, and club representative Stefan Kießling praised the commitment of the 200 or so volunteers from the region in attendance and thanked them for their impressive efforts.
Show moreBusiness
Digital platform Crown Coins becomes new partner in Bayer 04 Sponsors Club
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has gained a new partner in digital gaming platform Crown Coins, which joins the Bundesliga runners-up's Sponsors Club with immediate effect. The one-and-a-half-year contract runs until 30 June 2027.
Show more
Bayer 04 and transport provider wupsi expand long-standing partnership
The long-standing successful collaboration between Bayer 04 and the transport service provider wupsi GmbH has been expanded: From January 2026, 100 wupsi bikes with Bayer 04 branding will be available for hire throughout the city of Leverkusen. They will complement the many existing offers and services that provide key support, especially for fans travelling to and from home matches at the BayArena.
Show more
Andrich, Flekken and Co. at the BarmeniaGothaer Christmas market
On Tuesday evening, Bayer 04's main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer and its employees welcomed some very special visitors to the company's Christmas market at its headquarters in Wuppertal: Werkself players Robert Andrich, Mark Flekken, Loïc Badé, Jarell Quansah and Malik Tillman spent lots of time with Bayer 04 fans of all ages in the early evening – and also helped to serve drinks such as Glühwein (mulled wine) and delicious food.
Show more
Former Chinese Star Chen Yang Visits Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Bayer 04 welcomed former Chinese forward Chen Yang, the first player from his country to play in the Bundesliga, to the BayArena on Monday as part of a collaboration with Bundesliga International. The initiative aims to promote Bundesliga stories and behind-the-scenes content for the Chinese market ahead of the launch of Chen’s Douyin (China’s TikTok) social media channel later this month.
Show more
Longstanding partnership to continue: Bayer 04 and EVL extend
A strong and successful partnership that will be continued: Bayer 04 and Energieversorgung Leverkusen GmbH & Co. KG (EVL) have extended their contract for energy supply and related services until 30 June 2027. As part of this, EVL will continue to hold the naming rights to the family section at the BayArena.
Show moreHistory
2024/25 season review, part I: High expectations of invincible double winners
With the clash at Mainz 05 on the 34th and final matchday of the 2024/25 Bundesliga, another eventful season came to an end. The Werkself finished as runners-up in second place and can be proud of the joint third-best points tally in the club's history. Bayer04.de takes a look back - firstly at the period from the summer until the end of the year, in which the Werkself had to deal with high expectations and fluctuated between impressive performances, squandered leads and absolute top form.
Show more
Happy 75th birthday, Wolfgang Holzhäuser
He helped shape Bayer 04 for almost two decades. First from 1998 to 2004 as the commercial managing director, then from 2013 as the spokesperson for the board and finally from 2017 as a member of the shareholders committee. Wolfgang Holzhäuser today celebrates his 75th birthday.
Show more
30 years ago: Bernd Schuster's hat-trick for all time
Bernd Schuster scored the Goal of the Month three times in 1994. And in the vote for the Goal of the Year he took the first three places. Nobody else has achieved that before or after him. Today Bernd Schuster celebrates his 65th birthday. We take the occasion to not only look back at his wonder goals but also review his special story at Bayer 04.
Show more
No tradition since 1904 – Bayer 04 release 120th anniversary kit
The German double winners’ special-edition jersey to mark the club’s 120th anniversary is reminiscent of the first kit worn by players back in the 1907/08 season. The jersey, which the Werkself will wear for the Bundesliga home game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday, 5 October and which has been met with enthusiasm by the players, has numerous special features relating to the club's history, including an NFC chip that leads to exclusive content when scanned with a smartphone.
Show more
120 years of Bayer 04 Leverkusen: an eventful history
The 2023/24 season was a historic one in many respects for Bayer 04. The Werkself were crowned champions for the first time in their history, lifted the DFB Pokal for the second time after 1993, and reached a European final for the third time after the UEFA Cup triumph of 1988 and 2002 Champions League runners-up finish. The fact all these events came in the year the club celebrates its 120th birthday makes the milestone year even more special. So, time for a look back on the beginnings of the gymnastics club that soon became one of Europe’s biggest football clubs.
Show moreAll News
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - BayArena lights up purple
The United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is celebrated worldwide on 3 December. Together with Bayer AG, Bayer 04 is once again setting an example for diversity and inclusion by lighting up the BayArena in purple in the evening.
Show more
Closer to the home end: Home bench at the BayArena towards North Stand
For the Bundesliga 2025/26 opener against TSG Hoffenheim at the BayArena on Saturday, Erik ten Hag, his coaches, staff and substitutes will be even closer to the home end. From now, the Bayer 04 team will be nearer to the North Stand after coming on.
Show more
Moderate price revision in public catering at the BayArena
Bayer 04 and catering partner Bayer Gastronomie have revised the public catering offer at the BayArena. A moderate price revision has become unavoidable due to increased raw material, energy and staff costs. Beer will now cost €5.10 (plus 20 cents) and Bratwurst €4.40 (plus 10 cents).
Show more
For the third time in four years: ‘Pitch of the Year’ award goes to Bayer 04
Another award for the Bayer 04 ground staff: after 2021/22 and 2022/23, the pitch in the BayArena has once again been named ‘Pitch of the Year’ in the Bundesliga in 2024/25. VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern München follow in second and third place this year.
Show more
