Ten guides form the team leading tours of the BayArena. One of them is Marvin Sonnenberg. At the start of the comeback tour, he explained how he joined a guided tour himself for the first time in 2015 – back then with his host family from the USA. "I invited them specially and I wanted to introduce them to my favourite club. However, we discovered that the tour was only available in German back then. From that moment I knew I wanted to change that."
Since then, the Leverkusen-born guide has led weekly tours himself for the past six years and he has experienced a lot along the way: "I actually had a married couple visit who had flown here specially for three days to watch their fellow countryman Chicharito (2015 to 2017 at Bayer 04,ed.) play, explained the committed Bayer 04 fan.
Only German-speaking visitors registered for the comeback tour. The starting point is one of the most impressive parts of the BayArena: the traditional fan pub, the Schwadbud. Right at the beginning of the tour it is clear there is a lot of history. Then it's up the stairs to the top tier via the North Stand and into the inner part of the arena. Sonnenberg covers the special architectural features, the video screens, goal-line technology and the away section.
The participants also receive an exclusive insight into the VIP and executive boxes area of the arena as well as the press conference room. The highlight of the tour comes at the end: the interior. Here it's a case of touching the pitch, stroking or kissing it but – as is normally the case with stadium tours- not stepping on it. 90 minutes later it's back to the start – with numerous souvenir photos and one or two Black and Red anecdotes.
Anyone wanting to do a BayArena Tour can do it straight away from now. The tours are again being held weekly and the cost is €10. You can book the tour online HERE. Due to the ongoing hygiene regulations it is not possible to visit all the areas of the BayArena. There are no BayArena Tours when the Werkself are at home.
All participants have to produce a 2G passport at the start of the tour. Children and teenagers from 6 to 19, expectant women and fans with medical certificates have to – unless they are vaccinated or recovered – show proof of a negative test (antigen test not older than 24 hours or a PCR test not older than 48 hours). Children up to the age of five do not need proof of vaccination or a negative test for the stadium tour. During the tour, face masks are to be worn at all times in the interior of the stadium. These can be taken off in the outside areas.
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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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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