Bayer 04 Leverkusen

The BayArena is the home of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, situated in the city of Leverkusen in North Rhine-Westphalia, directly adjacent to the Bayer pharmaceutical corporation's main factory complex on the Rhine. The stadium holds 30,210 spectators and has been in use since 1958, with the current structure representing successive phases of modernisation and expansion. The ground bears the name of its title sponsor Bayer AG, the company from whose sports and recreational facilities department the club itself was founded in 1904. This close corporate relationship between club and company makes Bayer Leverkusen unique among Bundesliga clubs and gives the BayArena a distinctive identity tied to the pharmaceutical giant.

The BayArena has been the stage for Leverkusen's considerable success in European competition and their near-misses in domestic title chases, which earned the club the unfortunate nickname "Neverkusen" following a treble near-miss in 2002 when they finished runners-up in the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League in the same season. Despite this, the stadium has hosted hundreds of European matches and seen the club consistently among the Bundesliga's top sides. Players including Michael Ballack, Bernd Schneider, Dimitar Berbatov, and Stefan Kiessling became legends at the BayArena. The stadium was also transformed into a scene of euphoria in 2024 when Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen won their first-ever Bundesliga title and completed an invincible domestic season.

The BayArena underwent a major redevelopment between 1997 and 2009, during which the ground was progressively transformed into a modern all-seater stadium with full roof coverage. The 2024 renovation further improved hospitality and technical facilities. For Bundesliga matches the standing areas can be used, increasing effective atmosphere, while UEFA regulations require all-seated configuration for European ties. The stadium is compact and atmospheric, with steep stands that bring supporters close to the pitch. Leverkusen's regular Champions League qualification means the BayArena consistently hosts elite European club football.