Bayer Leverkusen vs. Celje: UEFA Europa League live blog and preview

Bayer Leverkusen begin the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League with a home game against Slovenia’s Celje on Wednesday (kick-off: 9pm CEST).

Leverkusen enjoyed an unbeaten run to the final the last time they featured in the Europa League in 2023/24, suffering their only competitive defeat of the entire season under Xabi Alonso in Dublin against Atalanta. The Werkself finished sixth in the 2025/26 Bundesliga to qualify again for Europe’s secondary continental competition.

Celje won the title in Slovenia for the second time in the last three years, earning them a place in the second round of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Vitor Campelos’ side progressed past Albania’s Egnatia on penalties and then beat Ararat-Armenia 3-2 on aggregate but fell in the play-off to Slovan Bratislava (3-2 on aggregate after extra-time) to drop into the Europa League for their first campaign in the competition.

Follow the match below!

VS

Leverkusen

Wed, 16.09 19:00

Celje

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 1 League phase, Matchday 1 BayArena

Play video

0:57

Watch: Augsburg 2-2 Leverkusen - highlights

Substitute Patrik Schick scored late as Bayer Leverkusen fought back to rescue a point in their final Bundesliga game before their Europa League opener.

Familiar final venue

Leverkusen are well acquainted with the location of the 2026/27 final, namely Eintracht Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday 26 May 2027.

© Bundesliga/Getty Images/Simon Hofmann

Play video

2:50

Watch: Diaby back as new-look Leverkusen take shape

Moussa Diaby has rejoined Leverkusen, where a whole host of new faces are beginning to find their feet.

Celje's last European campaign: 2025/26

Slovenian side Celje took part in the UEFA Europa Conference League last season and finished 13th in the league phase. This meant they qualified for the play-off round, where they beat Kosovan outfit FC Drita 6-4 on aggregate. However, Greek giants AEK Athens proved too much for Celje in the round of 16, winning the tie 4-2.

© IMAGO/One Inch Productions

Leverkusen's last European campaign: 2025/26

Leverkusen competed in the UEFA Champions League last season, making it through to the round of 16, where they lost to eventual finalists Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate. On their way to the round of 16, Die Werkself finished 16th in the league phase, during which they surprised Manchester City with an impressive 2-0 away win. In the play-off round, Leverkusen overcame Greek side Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate.

© UWE KRAFT

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action as Bayer Leverkusen kick off the league phase of the UEFA Europa League by hosting Celje on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 9pm CEST).

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