NAIROBI, Kenya — German football giants FC Bayern Munich and Dutch side AFC Ajax will play an international friendly in Nairobi on January 5, 2027, to officially open the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City, President William Ruto has announced.
The 60,000-seat stadium, located along Ngong Road, will host the high-profile encounter as Kenya steps up preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Both clubs have confirmed the fixture, which will bring two of Europe’s most decorated football teams to Kenya for the opening of the new national stadium. Ajax said the match would form the final part of its preparations for the second half of the season.
In an address on Wednesday, October 28, Ruto said the event would be funded through private-sector partnerships.
“Come January 5, 2027, we will open this new modern, historic stadium with a match between two giants of European football, FC Bayern of Germany and AFC Ajax of Amsterdam,” the President said.
The fixture is expected to attract significant interest from Kenyan football fans, particularly supporters of Bayern Munich and Ajax, two clubs with established international followings.
Harry Kane could headline Bayern’s Nairobi visit
The match could also offer Kenyan fans an opportunity to see England captain Harry Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich and won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or on October 26.
However, the final squad travelling to Nairobi has not been confirmed, and Kane’s participation should not be assumed until the club announces its travelling party.
Bayern’s visit will come during the German Bundesliga’s winter break. The league’s published calendar schedules the final round of matches in December before competition resumes on January 8, 2027, three days after the Nairobi friendly.
Ajax has described the encounter as a major test ahead of the second half of its campaign, placing the fixture within the Dutch club’s preparations for the resumption of competitive football.
Further details about the match, including ticket sales, are expected to be announced by the organisers and clubs at a later date.
Match to honour Raila Odinga
Ruto said the stadium opening fixture was part of his commitment to honour former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died in October 2025 and had a longstanding interest in football.
“This is part of my commitment to honour the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who studied in Germany. He loved football; he stood on the stands, and he enjoyed football with the people,” Ruto said.
The choice of Bayern Munich also carries a connection to Odinga’s time in Germany, where he studied at Leipzig University and Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.
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The stadium was named in honour of the former Prime Minister as part of the government’s efforts to recognise his legacy.
Talanta Stadium prepares for AFCON 2027
The opening match will serve as an international showcase for Kenya’s sports infrastructure ahead of AFCON 2027, which is scheduled to take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The tournament will mark a significant moment for East African football, with the three countries preparing to host the continent’s leading national teams.
Talanta Sports City is among the key infrastructure projects associated with Kenya’s preparations for the competition. The stadium is designed to accommodate 60,000 spectators and is expected to host matches during the tournament.
The project has also attracted public scrutiny over its construction costs, with the overall cost of the sports complex reported to exceed KSh48 billion.
The Bayern Munich–Ajax encounter will therefore be more than a ceremonial opening: it will provide an early international test of Kenya’s ability to stage a major football event before the continental tournament begins.
