History and description

BayArena, originally called Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, was built in the mid 1950s to replace Bayer's previous home, Bayer Sportplatz. The Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion officially opened on the 2nd of August 1958. It was an oval-shaped stadium with one covered main stand, and could hold about 20,000 visitors.

The Bayer promoted to Bundesliga in 1979, and in order to successfully compete at the highest level, a new temporary East Stand was built. However, more significant improvements were needed.

In 1986, the club undertook 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.

The new name was picked after a public vote. After the completion of their work in 1997, the workers were able to complete 22,500 seats in the stadium. This happened one year later, when the stadium's name was changed to BayArena in a public vote.

A new BayArena soon turned out to be too small for the increasing fanbase of the club, necessitating an expansion project worth ?70 million.

Construction on the new building 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 is supported from the outside of the stadium, meaning that future capacity increases will be easy.

How to get to the BayArena

It is a 10,000-seat arena that was opened in 2007 and is home to the Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. The BayArena located in central Leverkusen is where the A1 and A3 motorways intersect. It is a 10,000-seat arena that opened in 2007 and is home to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Even though the stadium is 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 and turn right onto the Bonner Straße. Directly 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 is located about 10 minutes walk from the overground metro station Leverkusen Mitte. Leverkusen Mitte is served by line 6, which runs between Cologne and Düsseldorf. The journey between Cologne and Düsseldorf takes about half an hour.

Can one 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 near the BayArena

The BayArena is located in a largely residential neighbourhood with few businesses, 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 establishments. If you would like to stay close to the BayArena, the Lindner Hotel Bayarena is a great option as it is located inside the stadium building. Other nearby choices include the BestWestern Hotel Leverkusen and Hotel Brauhaus Manforter Hof, both of which are slightly cheaper. For an overview of hotels near the BayArena, please click here.

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

Bayer Leverkusen Tickets

Tickets for Bayer Leverkusen games can be bought online, by phone +49 (0) 1805 040404, or in person at one of the Bayer 04 shops. The BayArena shop is located at the BayArena and the Wiesdorfer Platz 9 shop is located in Leverkusen's center. Bayer 04 occasionally sells out home games, but for most games tickets will be easily available in advance.

Tickets for category B games, in the middle of the pricing range, are priced at ?40.00 to ?68.00. Standing costs ?25.00. Tickets for Bayer home matches can be purchased in three price categories: C games, which cost from ?17.00 for an upper-tier seat behind the goal to ?32.00 for a central seat at the main stand; A games, which cost from ?32.00 to ?68.00; and B games, which cost from $40.00 to $68.00 and offer standing options for an additional $15 per game.*

Email [email protected] for more information.

BayArena stadium tours

The Bayer 04 team offers guided stadium tours that include visits to the dressing rooms, players? tunnel, press room, dugouts, and VIP areas. Tours run from a few times to a dozen times each month, depending on the season. Dates are announced on the BayArena website. There are special tours on matchdays.

Bookings are required for the tour. It costs ?10.00 to take the tour.

Photos of the BayArena

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Useful Internet links

The official website of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Leverkusen.de, has information on the city of Leverkusen. The official website of public transport in the Rhein-Ruhr area, VRR.de, provides information on train times and fare information. Check out the train times and fare information at Bahn.de! Everything runs smoothly here and the atmosphere is very relaxed and family-friendly. You can use your credit card at all of the places here, so there's no need for those pesky stadium cards. The view from upper seats is great, and there's enough terrace action to keep you entertained.

I went to see Leverkusen vs Leipzig in October at the Oktoberfest in Leverkusen. I travelled from Dusseldorf by train and walked through the local park to get to the BayArena.

Everything proceeds smoothly and everyone seems very relaxed and family-friendly. Credit cards are not necessary here as all purchases can be made with cash. The view from upper seats is excellent, providing ample opportunity for spectators to get up and active. Enough terrace action to keep you entertained is available.

After getting on the same train as before, I arrived in Cologne. The stadium was very modern and spacious, with friendly fans. You can only use cards to pay for tickets and food inside the ground, so you need to get one beforehand. After the game, you can return your card to collect your money back.

You cannot use cash inside the ground. Only cards are accepted (you need to get one card and load it with cash). You can return this card after the game to get your money back.

Recently I only saw your improved stadium and I am sad that your old ground structure has gone. I loved the fact that your old floodlights were outside the ground on huge poles leaning in and above the away supporters heads in the ground were ceiling heaters, like the old electric coiled bars you used to see in household electric bar fires. Now our Highbury Ground has gone too, I miss your old ground but I will never forget it. I keep an eye on your results and your my favorite club after Arsenal. Best wishes to all staff, players and fans Derek.

Recently, I only saw your improved stadium and I'm sad that your old ground structure has gone. I loved the fact that your old floodlights were outside the ground on huge poles leaning in and above the away supporters' heads in the ground were ceiling heaters, like the old electric coiled bars you used to see in household electric bar fires. Now our Highbury Ground has gone too, I miss your old ground but I'll never forget it. I keep an eye on your results and you're my favorite club after Arsenal.

Best wishes to all staff, players and fans

Derek

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