BayArena

Away fans are located in the southwest corner of the stadium, including basic seating and standing options.

The area offers an unrestricted view of the action, at a level that is closer to the pitch than most grounds.

Away supporters will have food and drink provisions available, both outside and inside the BayArena.

What is the away allocation at Bayer Leverkusen?

Typically, the away allocation at BayArena is just under 2,000. For West Ham’s visit to Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-finals of last season’s UEFA Europa League, the Hammers were given an allocation of 1,790.

BayArena is a modern stadium that has been refurbished over the years to bring it up to the required standards for a Bundesliga ground, today. From its halcyon days as the Ulrich-Haberland Stadion, major re-development took place in 1986 to transform the arena and further modernisation was carried out in 2007.

It enjoys plenty of space outside and in the vicinity of the stadium building, so further expansion or maintenance will likely be possible in the future.

East Stand

In Blocks A1, A2 and A3 of the East Stand, there is a family area, which is located next to the South Stand. The rest of the stand is also family-friendly, with a fan meeting place placed just outside the entrance.

North Stand

The North Stand is a sea of red and black scarves on matchdays, with the loudest Leverkusen supporters located behind this side of the goal.

Main Stand

At the west end of BayArena is the Main Stand. The ‘F blocks’ fill this side of the ground, with prime views of the pitch and the coaches on the bench below.

South Stand

As per the Bayer Leverkusen website: “No matter whether you are wheelchair user, your eyesight is impaired or you need audio-visual support, the South Stand area is made for you.” Supporters in this part of the ground are also given a free ticket parking space in close proximity to the venue.

Few clubs in German football combine history, passion and identity quite like Bayer Leverkusen. While they may not boast the global recognition of Bayern Munich or Dortmund, the Werkself faithful fill the BayArena with some of the best football chants that echo pride, loyalty and deep connection to their club’s roots.

From chants of defiance against rivals to anthems of unity and love, Leverkusen’s supporters prove that devotion doesn’t need to be louded to be felt the strongest. Here are some of the Bayern Leverkusen chants that define their identity on matchdays.

• Bay Arena unsur Zahause
• Wir sind die Werkself
• Nie Mehr Koln!
• Leverkusen vor!
• Werkself ole ole.

When Bayer Leverkusen take to the stands, they do it with colour, wit and a touch of Rhineland irony. Among the most striking visual statements are the Leverkusen tifos, bold, tongue-in-cheek displays that playfully nod to the Bavarian football culture while asserting Leverkusen’s own identity.

It is a football theatre at its cleverest: the underdog turning tradition on its head, transforming a regional symbol into a banner of pride and defiance.

In recent years, these tifos have become part of the club’s growing reputation for creativity in the stand. Leverkusen may not be the Bavaria, but they know how to make a statement. Their tifos blend humour, rivalry, and artistry into something unmistakably Leverkusen: bold, confident, and impossible to ignore.

There are several bars and restaurants to visit near the stadium, whilst you will have plenty of fast food options to choose from.

Street drinking is legal in Germany. You will see people congregating, talking and enjoying each other’s company with a can or bottle. The reason you will also see some others collecting the empties in large numbers is due to the deposit scheme on bottles which means you can earn a few Euros if you wish.

Winner’s Place, Haus am Park and Pizzeria Da Franco are three restaurant options near the stadium.

Schwadbad (at the stadium), BAX biergarten and Brauhaus Janes are all located on Bismarckstrasse, next to the BayArena for a cold German beer.

Hotels near BayArena

As a small industrial city, Leverkusen is not Cologne or Dusseldorf in terms of its scale and provisions, but there is ample hotel space if you wish to stay close to the BayArena.

Hotels such as Lindner Hotel (adjacent to the football ground), Leoso Hotel, Ibis Budget Cologne Leverkusen, and Hotel am Stadion are all located less than a mile from the home of Bayer Leverkusen if you want to stay in the city.

You can buy food from the shops at the BayArena, at least if you cannot afford the meals that come with a VIP ticket at the venue. Let’s take a look at what snacks are available:

Currywurst and bread at Bayer Leverkusen (@bayer04_en)

💶 €3.60 (£3) pic.twitter.com/KW4l9NKMV9

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) April 18, 2022

Currywurst mit pommes at Bayer Leverkusen (@bayer04_en @bayer04fussball)

💶 €6.50 (£5.70) pic.twitter.com/Th72Tb3W8b

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) February 24, 2023

As usual on Football Ground Guide, we advise you to use public transport to get to the stadium and you will be well-served in Germany.

Parking is limited at the BayArena but there is a shuttle service.

Parking is available at Kurtekotten – at the “Chempark” S-Bahn station – from two hours before the start of the match. The car parks can be reached via Otto-Bayer Straße (Cologne).

The shuttle bus service commences two hours before the game, it will start travelling from Kurtekotten to the BayArena, ending at the street “Am Stadtpark”. From there, it is a short walk to the stadium.

You can avail of the same service for two hours after the game is finished.

With a capacity of 30,210, the BayArena is a mid-sized venue on par with the likes of Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena and St Pauli’s Millerntor Stadion.

For European matches, the capacity of the BayArena is slightly reduced. Regulations from UEFA require different seating arrangements, increased space for media, and stricter safety measures, so the stadium’s official capacity drops to around 29,500.

Within the total capacity, around 2,000 seats are given to business and VIP guests. These premium areas have been created to provide a matchday experience with extra comfort. While this does reduce the number of regular fan seats, ot also adds significant commercial value.

As listed on the club website, public and matchday tours are available at the BayArena with tickets able to be purchased at the stadium and online.

Check for availability before making plans.

The full price for the 90-minute stadium tour is €10 for adults, with a child’s ticket costing just €6.

You will get to see the dressing rooms, walk down the tunnel and take a seat in the dugouts as well as sitting in the press room and VIP hospitality areas. For more, visit the official Bayer Leverkusen website.

The BayArena stadium tour promises an exciting adventure, and we also recommend visiting some popular attractions nearby.

Neuland-Park

Neuland-Park is located just two kilometres from the BayArena along the Rhine River, making it an ideal spot for families seeking outdoor activities in the city. When visiting Neuland-Park, be sure to check out the beach bar, the children’s playground for family-friendly fun, and the restaurants for a delicious meal.

The park is also perfect for cyclists and those looking to enjoy a nature walk. Additionally, parking at Neuland-Park is mostly free.

Japanischer Garten Leverkusen

About one kilometre from Bayer Leverkusen lies the Japanischer Garten Leverkusen, a garden established in 1912 by Carl Duisberg, who was the CEO of Leverkusen at the time.

Japanischer Garten Leverkusen features stunning landscapes that are especially inviting during the summer months. With its calming atmosphere and serene environment, this garden offers a truly breathtaking escape for visitors.

Rathaus-Galerie

The Rathaus-Galerie is about 1.5 kilometres from the BayArena, which takes approximately five minutes to walk to the shopping complex in the city centre.

Rathaus-Galerie offers a myriad of stores, restaurants and indoor convenience.

Other amazing places to tour in Leverkusen include:

• Wildpark Reuschenberg
• Hitdorfer See
• Calevornia
• Wuppermundung
• NaturGut Ophoven

The primary football rivalry in the North Rhine Westphalia region is that between FC Köln and Borussia Mönchengladbach, but games between the three clubs will often be referred to as a Rhine Derby in different contexts.

Bayer Leverkusen’s main rivals would be 1. FC Köln, as much as the Billy Goats would see ‘Gladbach as their true rivals.

The close proximity of the respective cities creates local rivalry and tension in games between Bayer and Cologne, even if the Leverkusen club have had the upper hand in recent decades in their fortunes on the pitch.

Matchday tickets can be purchased online from Bayer Leverkusen’s ticket portal here: https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/shop/tickets

Prices for single-game tickets to see Die Werkself are very affordable, reflecting the sensible approach that is taken in Germany allowing ordinary people to get along to support their club.

Ticket prices vary from €15 to €50 depending on the stand and category you are allocated, as well as the fixture.

Generally, tickets will be available to members and season ticket holders before any public sale goes live.