The BayArena may not be one of Germany’s largest football stadiums, but that is part of its appeal. Home to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the 30,210-capacity ground brings spectators remarkably close to the action, with even the most distant seat only 94 metres from the centre spot. A behind-the-scenes visit offers a chance to see how this Bundesliga venue operates away from matchday and to explore spaces normally associated with players, media and hospitality guests.
The BayArena Stadium Tour focuses strongly on the stadium itself rather than simply retelling the club’s history. Visitors get a closer look at the working areas behind the football they normally see from the stands, while the stadium’s architecture and relatively intimate setting give the experience a character of its own.
The modern stadium is the result of several stages of development rather than a completely new ground built at once. It was renamed the BayArena in 1998, while the major reconstruction that created its present form began in December 2007. The modernised stadium reopened for Bundesliga football in August 2009.
One of its most distinctive features is the roof. The tent-like structure has a diameter of 217 metres and extends over the stands to provide protection from the weather. The 2009 redevelopment also added upper tiers, business seating and executive boxes, transforming the former ground into a much more modern arena while preserving the close relationship
A more recent addition is the Fanwelt on the south side of the stadium. Opened in November 2024, the 700-square-metre space combines the club shop with interactive fan experiences and opportunities to see Bayer Leverkusen trophies at close range. The Fanwelt is also used for stadium tours and other club events.
For visitors unfamiliar with Bayer Leverkusen, the stadium experience also provides some context for the club’s distinctive identity. Bayer 04 grew out of the sporting organisation founded by employees of the Bayer company, while the nickname “Werkself” reflects those roots. Over time, the club developed from that local foundation into one of Germany’s leading football teams.
Bayer 04 offers several ways to explore the stadium. In addition to the regular public tour, a shorter matchday tour provides a look inside before selected home fixtures. There are also Legends Tours featuring former goalkeeper and Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn, as well as individual tours for private groups.
Dates and availability can change with the football calendar, and matchday tours are tied to selected fixtures. Rather than relying on fixed schedules or prices, check the official BayArena Tours page for current tour options, available dates and booking information.
The standard public tour lasts around 90 minutes and includes several of the stadium’s key behind-the-scenes areas. Bayer 04 currently lists the players’ tunnel, pitchside areas, VIP sections, the press conference room and the Schwadbud among the places visitors can experience during the tour.
Walking through these spaces provides a very different perspective from attending a match. The tunnel and pitchside areas bring visitors close to the sporting side of the venue, while the press and hospitality sections reveal some of the infrastructure required to operate a modern Bundesliga stadium. It is the kind of access that makes this experience a natural addition to our Stadium Tours collection.
As with most working stadiums, access can be affected by fixtures and other events. It is therefore sensible to treat the advertised route as a guide rather than assume that every area will always be available.
Bayer 04 provides a broad range of accessibility services at the stadium, including facilities and assistance for wheelchair users and visitors with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. The club’s inclusion team also organises stadium visits and accessible tours for supporters with disabilities.
Visitors with particular access requirements should contact the club before booking so that suitable arrangements can be confirmed for their visit. The Fanwelt also has an accessible entrance, with a lift available at the south reception for wheelchair users.
More detailed information and contact details are available on the official Bayer 04 Inclusion page.
The stadium is located in Leverkusen, between Cologne and Düsseldorf. For a non-matchday tour, public transport is a straightforward option: both Leverkusen Mitte and Leverkusen-Manfort stations are approximately a 20-minute walk away. Leverkusen Mitte is served by the RE1, RE5 and S6, while the RB48 serves Leverkusen-Manfort. Local buses 203, 207 and 222 also stop close to the stadium.
Driving is easier on non-matchdays, when visitors can use parking spaces beneath the “Stelze”. Matchdays operate differently, with traffic restrictions around the stadium and dedicated parking and shuttle arrangements. If your visit coincides with a home fixture, check the official BayArena directions page before travelling.
This tour is particularly worthwhile for visitors who enjoy seeing how a working football stadium operates beyond matchday. Access to areas associated with players, media and hospitality gives the experience more substance than simply viewing the ground from the stands. Its intimate setting is also part of the appeal. Rather than competing with Germany’s biggest stadiums on sheer scale, the experience offers a close-up look at the spaces behind the football seen on the pitch.
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