Bayer 04 Leverkusen is one of the very few German clubs not controlled by its members. Instead it is 100% owned and controlled by the giant Bayer pharmaceuticals group, the city's largest employer.

That unusual arrangement is due to an exception made for Bayer when the 50+1 rule was introduced in 1999, which was extended 2 years later to also cover VW / VfL Wolfsburg. 

In essence, the exception said that as Bayer had financially supported all areas of the club (including its amateur teams) for over 20 years, it was excluded from the requirement for its men's senior side to be controlled by club members (with the latter holding at least 50% of the voting rights, plus 1 vote). Having effectively started life as the 'works team', the club still proudly uses that moniker as their nickname, the 'Werkself' (works eleven).

For information on getting to the stadium, travel to and around the city, and places to eat, drink and stay, use the respective links above to the relevant pages on this site.

For background history on the club and latest news, use the external links below.