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Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German professional football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, that plays its home matches at the BayArena.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bayer 04 Leverkusen is a German professional football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, that plays its home matches at the BayArena. The club competes in the Bundesliga and is commonly known as Bayer Leverkusen or simply Leverkusen. Founded in 1904 as a works team associated with Bayer, it is widely referred to by the nickname Die Werkself.

History

Bayer 04 Leverkusen was founded in 1904 and developed from a company sports club linked to Bayer. It became a long-established Bundesliga side and has had periods of domestic and European success, including a major European qualification run noted by UEFA in the early 2010s.

Stadium and identity

The club plays at the BayArena in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is closely identified with Bayer AG and is commonly called Die Werkself, reflecting its industrial origins.

Recent management

Kasper Hjulmand was appointed head coach in September 2025 on a contract running to 30 June 2027, succeeding Erik ten Hag. Club staff listings from 2025 also identify Hjulmand and his coaching team in the technical staff.

Competitive status

Bayer 04 Leverkusen competes in the Bundesliga and has also participated in UEFA club competitions, including the UEFA Champions League in the 2025–26 season. Season summaries list the club as finishing 6th in the Bundesliga that year and reaching the Champions League round of 16.

Key facts

  • The club was founded in 1904 as a works team associated with Bayer.
  • Bayer 04 Leverkusen plays in Germany’s top division, the Bundesliga.
  • The team’s home ground is the BayArena in Leverkusen.
  • Kasper Hjulmand is the current head coach.
  • The club is widely known by the nickname Die Werkself.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Bayer 04 Leverkusen through UEFA competitions and international football coverage, but the club has no specific Canadian base or Canadian ownership noted in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bayer Leverkusen manager?
Kasper Hjulmand is the head coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, appointed in September 2025 on a contract until 30 June 2027.
Bayer Leverkusen standings?
In the 2025–26 season summary, Bayer Leverkusen are listed 6th in the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich?
The clubs are Bundesliga rivals, and a 1 November 2025 match ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 37-match unbeaten away run in the league with a 3–0 defeat at Bayern Munich.
Bayer Leverkusen Champions League?
In the 2025–26 season, Bayer Leverkusen reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Bayer Leverkusen players?
A current first-team squad changes frequently; the provided sources do not give a complete, current player roster. For verified players, the club’s official squad and season pages are the most reliable references.
Bayer Leverkusen history?
The club was founded in 1904 and grew into a long-running Bundesliga side linked to Bayer AG. Its history includes domestic league competition, European qualification runs, and periods of managerial change, including recent appointments such as Xabi Alonso, Erik ten Hag, and Kasper Hjulmand.

References

  1. Bayer 04 Leverkusen — https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/page/werkself-coaches/kasper-hjulmand
    Supports: Kasper Hjulmand is head coach and signed a contract until 30 June 2027.
  2. Bayer 04 Leverkusen — https://www.bayer04.de/de-de/page/ueber-uns/fernando-carro
    Supports: Fernando Carro is chairman/CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayer_04_Leverkusen
    Supports: Club identity, founding year, Bundesliga participation, recent coaching changes, and Bayern Munich result.
  4. Bayer 04 Leverkusen — https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/page/club/history
    Supports: Club history and origins.
  5. UEFA — https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01fd-0e7e2ef0897c-73f91ea192ac-1000--leverkusen-firm-ties-with-lewandowski-and-hyypia/
    Supports: Historic European qualification and coaching details.
  6. Bundesliga — https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/clubs/bayer-04-leverkusen
    Supports: Club profile, league participation, and identity.
  7. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Bayer_04_Leverkusen_season
    Supports: 2025–26 league position and Champions League round of 16.