Bayer 04 Leverkusen
The Bayer 04 Leverkusen professional team stands as Bayer’s flagship, representing the pinnacle of a pyramid that encompasses approximately 26,000 members across 16 Bayer sports clubs.
Founded in 1904 as Turn- und Spielverein der Farbenfabriken vorm. Friedr. Bayer & Co. (abbreviated to TuS 04), the football department, established in 1907, played its inaugural official match against Ballspielverein Manfort football club. After 72 years and numerous matches, Bayer 04 Leverkusen achieved its long-awaited ascent to the 1. Bundesliga, Germany’s premier football league, in 1979, where it has remained since.
The 1980s marked a period of significant achievements for the team. In 1986, it secured its first qualification for a European cup competition, culminating in a UEFA Cup victory in 1988. Notable players of that era included national striker Herbert Waas, the Brazilian Tita, and South Korean football icon Cha Bum-kun.
Starting in the 90s, Bayer 04 achieved success both nationally and internationally. In 1993, Bayer 04 won the DFB-Pokal, and since the 1992/93 season, the team secured Bundesliga placements that qualified them numerous appearances in European competitions in subsequent years. Notably, the team finished as runners-up in the league six times and reached the Champions League final in 2002 as well as the Europa League final 2024. Under head coach Xabi Alonso, the Werkself won their first Bundesliga championship in 2023/2024 without a single defeat all season!
Historic Season: Bayer 04 Becomes German Champion and DFB Cup Winner in 2024
In 2024, Bayer 04 celebrated its 120th anniversary with an extraordinary football season: The team, led by coach Xabi Alonso, became the German champion in the 2023/2024 season and also won the DFB Cup. The team remained unbeaten in 51 matches during the 2023/24 season, making it the first German football club to finish the season with the title without a single loss.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen won the German Championship 2023/2024
Werkself wins the DFB Cup 2024!
Double winners come home to BayArena to celebrate their season.
The Werkself and the fans in the north curve of the BayArena.
Bayer 04 Facts
- Bayer Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title in their 120-year history, becoming the first team to win the Bundesliga without any defeats.
- 51 undefeated matches in the championship season 2023-24.
- “Together under the cross” symbolizes Bayer 04's history in Leverkusen
- Known as the “Werkself” highlighting their connection to Bayer AG
- Wears the cross on his chest since 1936
The Bayer Team – Ambassadors for the Company
Bayer AG's commitment to soccer has always been a form of advertising to boost the image of the entire company. The Bayer team acts as a popular ambassador for Bayer AG, reflecting the values of the corporate philosophy worldwide and conveying them in a unique way through the club's name.
Various visits by the professional team to Bayer sites in St. Louis, the USA or Mexico City, Mexico have contributed to this.
