Bayer Leverkusen was founded in 1904 as a sports club for employees of the chemical company Bayer. The club gained increasing prominence in German professional football in the 1970s and 1980s and developed into a stable Bundesliga participant. In 1988, Leverkusen won the UEFA Cup, which is still considered one of the highlights in the club’s history. Despite several second-place finishes in the league and cup, the long-awaited national title remained elusive for many years.

Bayer Leverkusen’s home ground is the BayArena, a modern stadium with a capacity of just over 30,000 spectators. The stadium was originally opened in 1958, but has been expanded and modernised several times since then. The BayArena is known for its compact atmosphere and good sightlines, making it a popular venue for both supporters and neutral spectators.

Leverkusen is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, between the cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf. It is a relatively small city with a strong industrial background, largely shaped by the presence of the chemical company Bayer. Despite the city’s modest size, Leverkusen has established itself as a permanent fixture in the German football world.