German football giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam will face off in Nairobi on January 5, 2027, in a historic match that will officially open Kenya’s new national stadium, Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City.

President William Ruto announced the fixture on Wednesday, October 28, in a recorded address, confirming that the two European clubs would headline the ceremonial opening of the 60,000-seater facility along Ngong Road in Nairobi.

Both clubs subsequently confirmed the match through separate announcements on their official platforms, setting the stage for a high-profile international football event in Kenya.

“A special match to kick off the new year,” Bayern Munich said, confirming that the German club would travel to Nairobi to face Ajax as part of the stadium’s grand opening.

Ajax also confirmed its participation, saying it was proud to face Bayern in the opening match at the new facility.

The fixture is expected to give Kenyan fans an opportunity to watch two of Europe’s established clubs compete on home soil as the country steps up preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ruto links stadium to Kenya’s sporting ambitions

Ruto said the new stadium fulfilled his earlier promise to deliver a modern sporting facility capable of attracting leading international teams and raising Kenya’s profile as a sporting destination.

The President described the venue as a 60,000-seat arena and said naming it after the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga was a fitting tribute to a leader who loved football and enjoyed watching matches alongside ordinary supporters.

Ruto also drew a symbolic connection between the two visiting clubs and the stadium’s name.

He noted that Odinga studied engineering in Germany, where Bayern Munich is based, while Ajax has built a reputation for developing young football talent. The name Talanta means talent in Swahili, providing another link to Ajax’s youth-development tradition.

The President said the match would be supported through corporate partnerships, although he did not disclose detailed sponsorship arrangements.

Stadium set for AFCON 2027

The Raila Odinga International Stadium, formerly known as Talanta Stadium, is a flagship project in Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya will co-host the continental tournament with Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027. The competition will be staged across the three East African countries, marking the return of AFCON to the region for the first time since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.

The stadium is expected to be one of Kenya’s key venues for the tournament and is designed to accommodate 60,000 spectators.

Construction began in March 2024 at Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road. The project has been reported to cost approximately KSh45.85 billion.

The facility features a hybrid playing surface, 52 sky boxes, video assistant referee (VAR) technology and goal-line technology.

Beyond football, the venue is intended to support other sporting events, including rugby, as Kenya seeks to expand its capacity to host international competitions.

Ticket sales and match details

Bayern Munich announced that ticket sales for the January 5 encounter would begin on November 5, 2026, through the Talanta Sports City website.

The match will also be broadcast live in Germany on ProSieben and through Bayern’s FC Bayern TV PLUS streaming service, according to the club’s announcement.

Further details on ticket categories, prices and local broadcast arrangements are expected to be communicated by the organisers.

The Bayern-Ajax fixture will place Nairobi in the international football spotlight ahead of AFCON 2027, while offering an early test of the country’s ability to stage a major event at its new national stadium.