BayArena
The BayArena has been the home stadium of Bayer 04 Leverkusen since 1958. It currently offers a capacity of 30,000.
After having played at the Bayer Sportplatz for several decades during the first half of the 20th century, the club decided to build a brand-new stadium. Construction started in 1956 and on the 2nd of August 1958 the stadium was officially opened. Back then the stadium was still called Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion and could hold 20,000 visitors.
In 1986 the club began a major redevelopment of the stadium, which started with the construction of a roof that would cover all seats, and continued in the decade following with the rebuilding or refurbishment of all stands. Works to the 22,500-seat stadium were completed in 1997, and one year later its name changed into BayArena.
With the successes of Bayer in the new millennium the stadium often proved too small for its increasing fanbase. In 2007 a €70-mln expansion project was started, which 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.
The works meant that during the 2008/2009 season Bayer had to play its home matches at Düsseldorf’s LTU Arena. First match played at the renovated arena was a Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 and Hoffenheim.
Getting there
The BayArena lies 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.
From the A3, take exit 24 Leverkusen, turn east onto the Willy Brandt Ring, left onto the Kalkstraße, left onto the Gustav-Heinemann-Straße, and, after passing underneath the A3, right onto the Bismarckstraße.
Alternatively, and again from the A3, 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 (city centres and main railway stations). From both destinations the trip is about half an hour.
Alternatively one can take a train from Cologne’s main railway station, and get off at Leverkusen Schlebusch station (15-minute ride). From there it’s a 15-minute walk to the stadium.
Address: Bismarckstraße 122, 51373 Leverkusen
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 regularly fills up the stadium, but for many games tickets will be available in pre-sale. Ticket prices range from €13.50 to €42.00.
For more information email info@bayer04.de.
Stadium tours
Bayer 04 offers guided stadium tours that include visits to the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel, press room, dugouts, and VIP areas.
Tours run every Wednesday and Friday at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm, and every Saturday at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. 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 €8.00.
Relevant Internet links:
Bayer04.de – Official website of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Leverkusen.de – Official website of the city of Leverkusen.
VRR.de – Information about public transport in the Rhein-Ruhr area.
Bahn.de – Check train times and fare information.
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