Bayer Leverkusen: Final pre-season test vs RWE – home-only crowd in Ulrich-Haberland

Bayer 04 Leverkusen host Rot-Weiss Essen on Saturday, 1 August at 11:00 local time in the Ulrich-Haberland Stadium for the final pre-season test ahead of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. Yet the clash comes with a catch: per RWE’s announcement, only home supporters will be admitted, with no away tickets sold. Leverkusen currently sit sixth in the Bundesliga with 59 points from 34 games (17 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses) and a +21 goal difference (68 scored, 47 conceded).

Why is RWE facing Bayer Leverkusen in pre-season?

For Rot-Weiss Essen, the fixture against Bayer 04 Leverkusen is the standout test of their summer build-up. After a 0:3 loss in their final training-camp game against Austrian Bundesliga newcomer SV Ried on 25 June, the side now faces Leverkusen on 1 August. The following week brings a trip to Borussia Mönchengladbach, the 2024 double winners. Leverkusen, meanwhile, has appointed Carles Martinez Novell as its new head coach. The match gives RWE one last chance to run the team through high-level competitive drills before their 3. Liga opener on 9 August.

What’s the deal with the away-fan ban?

The exclusion of away supporters follows advice from the Leverkusen-Köln police authority. Only Bayer 04 fans will be allowed inside the Ulrich-Haberland Stadium; the short hop from Essen to Leverkusen won’t be an option for RWE followers. The club cited police recommendations in its statement, turning the game into a home-only affair.

What does the test mean for Bayer 04 Leverkusen?

For Leverkusen, the clash is another step in final preparations ahead of the new Bundesliga season. Martinez Novell’s side last took the field in a competitive fixture on 16 May 2026, drawing 1:1 with Hamburger SV. Recent form reads one win, two draws and two losses in the last five outings (DDLLW), while Eliesse Ben Seghir remains sidelined. The match offers a final chance to fine-tune tactics before the campaign proper gets under way.

What comes next after the RWE test?

After facing RWE, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will open the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The Werkself currently trails league leaders Bayern München by 30 points and must wrap up pre-season work. The coming weeks will reveal whether the side can reproduce last season’s strong displays. A positive result against RWE could boost morale ahead of Matchday 1 – even if the game itself carries no official weight.