
Once again this year Bayer 04 fans can look forward to a real highlight at the start of the new season with the season launch – albeit with a change: This year's event takes place for the first time in the Neuland Park (Rheinuferpark) in Leverkusen. In keeping with the great view of the Rhine, this year's motto is: Celebrate on the Rhine. The Werkself starts the new campaign the day before; with the DFB Cup tie away to Pforzheim presenting the first challenge for Heiko Herrlich and his players.
The two stadium announcers Pitti and Tobias will open the event at 11.15 CET and that will be followed by a round-table discussion with Fernando Carro and Rudi Völler on stage. The eSport player Marvin 'M4RV' Hintz will be presented and he will demonstrate his prowess with an exhibition match
Of course, another highlight again this year is the presentation of the new squad including all new signings - plus the autograph session to follow where, above all, young fans can get autographs of and photos with their favourite Werkself players. In between those two events, there will be live music from the Mavericks and the Bayer 04 Club will again provide numerous attractions in addition to the programme on stage.
Not only the Bayer 04 family will be guests at Neulandpark on 19 August: As part of the 'LEVspielt³' Event, the park is one of three venues for the big children's festival organised by the City of Leverkusen. Attractions including obstacle courses, face painting and bouncy castles which will help light up many children's eyes - it's worth dropping in.
Anybody regularly attending Werkself home games at the BayArena will know about using shuttle buses: The season launch event sees Bayer 04 providing a shuttle bus service from the Kurtekotten car park. From 11 in the morning, fans can travel free of charge from there to Rheinallee; the return journey is available until six in the evening. In hopefully nice weather and pleasant temperatures it's also worth travelling by bike along the Rhine. There will be plenty of bike stands available at the event site.
11.15 CET: Event opened by stadium announcers Pitti and Tobias
12.00 CET: Official welcome and round-table discussion with Fernando Carro and Rudi Völler
13.00 CET: Presentation of Marvin 'M4RV' Hintz and live gaming
followed by: Official presentation of team on stage
and: Live music from the Mavericks
Then: The autograph session
Around 17.00 CET: Event ends


A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-1 win against SC Freiburg on the 23rd matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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