Founded in 1904 by employees of the Bayer pharmaceutical company, the club's origins reflect its close ties to the city of Leverkusen and the iconic Bayer brand. Initially formed as a sports club offering a range of activities, football soon became its dominant pursuit, leading to the formal establishment of the football division in 1907.

Leverkusen's journey into prominence in German football was gradual but determined. After decades of playing in lower leagues, the team first tasted Bundesliga football in 1979, marking the beginning of their steady rise. Their reputation as a consistent force in German football was cemented during the 1980s and 1990s, highlighted by their first major trophy, the UEFA Cup, in 1988, after a dramatic win over Espanyol in the final.

The early 2000s were both a golden period and a heartbreak for the club. In 2002, Leverkusen came agonizingly close to achieving the treble. They finished second in the Bundesliga, lost the DFB-Pokal final to Schalke, and were runners-up in the UEFA Champions League, falling to Real Madrid in a match that featured one of the most iconic goals in football history—Zinedine Zidane's famous volley. This period earned them the unfortunate nickname "Neverkusen" for their near misses. In the 2010s, Die Werkself established themselves as serious Bundesliga contenders and regulars in the European cup competitions. During this era, stars like Son Heung-Min, Chicharito, Hakan Chalhanoglu represented the club. But despite this abundance of talent, Leverkusen never managed to win a trophy.

However, that “Neverkusen” moniker was soon about to change, as Xabi Alonso took charge of Bayer in 2022. In his first full season as the head coach, Alonso led Die Werkself to the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles. Leverkusen’s Bundesliga triumph ended Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign as the champions of Germany. Moreover, they even reached the Europa League final. But as fate would have it, Bayer Leverkusen’s quest for their first European trophy was halted in the final, where they fell 3-0 to Atalanta. Interestingly, that Europa League final defeat was the only loss Xabi Alonso’s side endured throughout the entire 2023/24 campaign. Despite the heartbreak, Leverkusen's remarkable achievements last season signal a promising future ahead.