BayArena

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Key facts

Club: Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Opening: 1958 | Capacity: 30,000

History and description

The BayArena, initially called Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, was built in the mid 1950s to replace the Bayer Sportplatz.

The Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion officially opened on the 2nd of August 1958. It was oval-shaped, had one covered main stand, and could hold about 20,000 visitors.

When Bayer promoted to the Bundesliga in 1979, a new temporary East Stand was built, though more significant improvements were needed.

In 1986, the club therefore embarked on a major redevelopment program. Works started with the reconstruction of a new West Stand, continued with the East Stand, and were then completed with both ends, enclosing the entire stadium.

Works were completed in 1997, and resulted in a capacity of 22,500 seats, all covered. One year later the stadium’s name got changed to BayArena.

The new BayArena, however, soon turned out to be too small for the increasing fanbase of the club, and as a result a €70-million expansion project was started.

Building works began in 2007, and included the addition of a small extra tier, the conversion of part of the seats into standing places, and the construction of a new roof.

The roof supports itself from the outside of the stadium, which means that future capacity increases will be relatively easy.

Getting there

The BayArena is located in central Leverkusen, where the A1 and A3 motorways intersect. Even though the stadium lies adjacent to the A1, it does not have its own exit.

The stadium is best reached from the A3. Take exit 24 Leverkusen, turn east onto the Willy Brandt Ring, turn left onto the Kalkstraße, turn left again onto the Gustav-Heinemann-Straße, and, after passing underneath the A3, right onto the Bismarckstraße.

Alternatively, take exit 22 Leverkusen-Opladen, turn right onto the Bonner Straße, direct right again onto the Europaring, and, after passing underneath the A3, left onto the Bismarckstraße. Continue for about a kilometre and, after having gone underneath the A1, you will reach the stadium.

The BayArena lies at 10 minutes walking (crossing the park) from overground metro (S-Bahn) stop Leverkusen Mitte. Leverkusen Mitte is served by line 6, which runs between Cologne and Düsseldorf. From both destinations the trip is about half an hour.

One can also take a train from Cologne’s main railway station and get off at Leverkusen Schlebusch station (15-minute ride). From there it is a 15-minute walk to the stadium.

Address: Bismarckstraße 122, 51373 Leverkusen

Eat, drink, and sleep

The BayArena is located in a predominantly residential neighbourhood with little around, though Leverkusen’s city centre is only a 15-minute walk away. While Leverkusen does not rank among Germany’s most attractive cities, it does have a few eating and drinking options.

If you wish to stay close to the BayArena, you have the choice between the BestWestern Hotel Leverkusen and Hotel Brauhaus Manforter Hof. There is furthermore an Ibis Hotel in Leverkusen’s centre, which is slightly cheaper. Click here for an overview of hotels near the BayArena.

If you have a little more time on your hands, you can also consider staying in Cologne or Düsseldorf, much more interesting cities, and take the S-Bahn to the stadium for the match.

Tickets

Tickets for Bayer 04 Leverkusen games can be bought online, by phone +49 (0) 1805 040404, or in person at one of the Bayer 04 shops. One of these shops is located at the stadium, and the other at the Breidenbachstraße 6-8 in Leverkusen’s centre.

Bayer 04 typically sells out just over half of their home games per season, but for most games tickets will be easily available in pre-sale. 

Bayer have divided their home matches into three pricing categories. Ticket prices for category C games, the cheapest, range in price from €12.00 for an upper-tier seat behind the goal to €26.00 for a central seat at the main stand. Standing costs €10.00. Tickets for category A games, the most expensive, range in price from €36.00 to €76.00. Standing costs €18.00.

For more information email info@bayer04.de.

Attendances

Stadium tours

Bayer 04 offers guided stadium tours that include visits to the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel, press room, dugouts, and VIP areas.

Tours typically run about three to four times a week, during the week as well as on the weekend. Dates are announced on the BayArena website. There are no tours on matchdays.

Reservations are required, and can be made by phone +49 (0) 1805 040404 or email info@bayer04.de. The tour costs €9.00.

Photos

Relevant Internet links

Bayer04.de – Official website of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Leverkusen.de – Official website of the city of Leverkusen.
VRR.de – Information on public transport in the Rhein-Ruhr area.
Bahn.de – Check train times and fare information.