Talanta Stadium touted as Africa’s best ahead of AFCON 2027

As Africa prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Nairobi’s Talanta Stadium is already making headlines as the continent’s most impressive sporting facility.

Set to host the tournament’s marquee matches, the 60,000-seater arena is over 85 per cent complete and promises to set a new standard for football and rugby venues across Africa.

With Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania racing to finalise stadium preparations, Talanta Stadium is emerging as the crown jewel of the region, blending modern design with world-class amenities.

Located in Nairobi’s Jamhuri district, the stadium will feature three outdoor training pitches, luxury skyboxes, seven contemporary changing rooms, VIP lounges, fully equipped media centres, and VAR booths integrated with goal-line technology.

Fan convenience has been prioritised with integrated rail links, while plans for a 300-room four-star hotel and a 30,000-square-metre mall will transform the venue into a hub for sport, leisure, and tourism. The stadium will complement the Kasarani Stadium, ensuring Nairobi is fully equipped to host high-profile AFCON encounters.

Nicholas Musonye, chairman of Kenya’s AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, believes Talanta Stadium surpasses all previous African stadiums, including Morocco’s venues during AFCON 2025. “The kind of stuff the government of Kenya is putting up is marvelous,” Musonye said on Sporty FM.

“It is something that Africans will relish to come again to say we want to go and play in Kenya. Because it is one of the best venues to organise rugby and football in Africa.” Musonye suggested that the stadium could even host both the opening and final matches of the tournament, highlighting its advanced facilities and spacious design.

Addressing doubts about East Africa’s ability to stage a major tournament, Musonye pointed to the success of CHAN 2024 as evidence that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are ready. “People were pessimistic, referring back to 1996 and 2018, but I assure you today we are going to have the best AFCON in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania,” he said.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed AFCON 2027 will take place between June and July, cementing Talanta Stadium’s role as a central venue for a landmark tournament.