NAIROBI, Kenya — German football giants FC Bayern Munich will face Dutch powerhouse Ajax Amsterdam in Nairobi on January 5, 2027, in a landmark match marking the opening of Kenya’s new national stadium as East Africa prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

The match will take place at the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City, a major sporting facility expected to play a central role in Kenya’s preparations for the continental tournament.

FC Bayern confirmed the fixture on Wednesday, October 28, describing it as an international football festival intended to celebrate the sport’s popularity across Africa and strengthen the club’s engagement with its African supporters.

The encounter will bring together two of Europe’s most decorated clubs, offering Kenyan and regional football fans an opportunity to witness elite European football on East African soil.

A Sporting Milestone for East Africa

The fixture comes as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania intensify preparations for AFCON 2027, which will be jointly hosted by the three neighbouring countries.

The tournament will mark a historic first, with three nations collaborating to stage Africa’s premier men’s football competition. It will also return AFCON to East Africa for the first time in more than 50 years.

The opening match at Talanta Sports City is expected to showcase Kenya’s sporting infrastructure and build international anticipation for the tournament, while placing Nairobi in the global football spotlight.

For the three host countries, AFCON 2027 presents an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation, attract visitors and investment, and promote East Africa as a destination for major international sporting events.

Bayern Seeks Stronger African Connections

FC Bayern’s board member for marketing and sales, Rouven Kasper, said the Nairobi fixture would provide an opportunity to deepen the club’s relationship with its supporters across Africa.

The German club, which has traditionally organised international tours in markets such as America and Asia, sees the event as another avenue to expand its global reach and promote the Bundesliga.

Bayern said the match would feature former Bundesliga players Marc-André ter Stegen, Thilo Kehrer and Julian Brandt.

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on November 5 through the official Talanta Sports City website. The match will also be broadcast in Germany on ProSieben and streamed through FC Bayern TV PLUS.

Football, Tourism and Regional Cooperation

Beyond the pitch, the Bayern-Ajax encounter highlights the growing role of sport in international engagement, tourism promotion and economic development.

Major sporting events can provide host countries with opportunities to attract international media coverage, stimulate hospitality and tourism businesses, and demonstrate their capacity to organise large-scale competitions.

For Uganda, which will co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania, the Nairobi event offers a glimpse of the international attention expected to accompany the tournament.

As preparations advance across the region, the success of AFCON 2027 will depend not only on the quality of football but also on coordination among the host nations, transport connectivity, stadium readiness, security and the overall experience offered to visiting supporters.

The January 5 encounter will therefore serve as an important showcase for Kenya’s new stadium and a major moment in East Africa’s preparations to welcome the continent’s football community in 2027.