Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community, summed up a successful day: "Everybody really got stuck in together and it was great to see how people worked and laughed with each other. The project for us is above all an expression of our bond with Leverkusen. We want to be a good neighbour and the Wir(04)Helfen Day is part of that philosophy."
A total of 70 employees of Bayer 04 GmbH worked hard from early morning at twelve locations on site to clean up the gardens as well as a new state-of-the-art outdoor gym with a number of pieces of training equipment, and finally smarten everything up in black and red. Particularly practical: The fitness park is right next to the Schlebuschrath cycle path on a direct route to the BayArena and it is used by many fans to get to the ground on matchdays. In addition, Stefan Kießling and Co. planted 25 new trees and help renovate a playground.
The Werkself and coaching staff joined in during the afternoon. Head coach Gerardo Seoane was full of enthusiasm: "A great event to support the club’s community project. We were happy to get stuck in with the other helpers and load wheelbarrows with sand. It does the players good to see the world from a different perspective." The Bayer 04 Women’s team also swapped footballs for trowels and spades. Today's duties for defender Melissa Friedrich, who also works in logistics at the club, included decking out a large number of benches in black and red: "For me, it's the sixth time I've taken part. I think it's important to get to know and work hand-in-hand with other people from the club on days like this. Above all, you get to learn to value completely different physical work than you do sitting in the office or being on the training ground."
The project is supported by the Lebenshilfe e.V. Leverkusen charity organisation. Also involved in staging the project is the sponsor Coca-Cola who made a five figure contribution and also worked hard on the site with their own delegation. "We are totally happy being able to actively support the subject of sustainability with such joint projects," said Claudia Blanars, sports marketing and prestige accounts manager at Coca-Cola.
In the first year in 2015, and also in 2016, the Wir(04)Helfen Day was held in a Leverkusen nursery. In the summer of 2017 the Opladen practice driving course was knocked into shape, players and staff worked at the Reuschenberg wildlife park in 2018. And in 2019 it was the Neuland Park that benefited. An outdoor park has recently been set up there too and it has already been very well received by the people of Leverkusen.
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
Show more
On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
Show more
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
