Bayern Munich and Ajax to stage landmark opening match at Kenya’s new national stadium

Bayern Munich and Ajax will play the first match at the new Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, on 5 January 2027.

The venue, also known as Talanta Sports City, has been under construction since 2024 and is being developed as Kenya’s new national stadium. It will have a capacity of up to 60,000 spectators.

The stadium is due to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as a number of football and rugby fixtures.

Ajax said the organisers regard the meeting between the two clubs – who have won the Champions League six and four times respectively – as a major football event for East Africa.

“The match represents the opening of a new and distinctive stadium in front of a huge African crowd, a meeting between two giants of world football and a landmark moment for Kenya on its journey towards hosting the Africa Cup of Nations,” the Dutch club said.

Ajax described the invitation to play in the fixture as “a great honour” and said facing Bayern Munich would provide a strong test during the Eredivisie’s winter break.

Rouven Kasper, Bayern Munich board member for sales and marketing, also welcomed the opportunity and highlighted the strength of the club’s relationship with its supporters across Africa.

“Bayern Munich has millions of wonderful fans in Africa and we feel closely connected to them. It is a continent with a huge passion for football,” Kasper said.

“We have maintained a strong presence in America and Asia for many years through our summer tour, and now we have a new opportunity to strengthen our relationship with our fans in Africa, to give them the chance to see Bayern Munich up close and to underline the club’s global presence.”

Kasper added: “We will also help to increase the profile of the Bundesliga and we are very much looking forward to this exceptional event.”

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations from 19 June to 17 July.

Egypt are the record holders for Africa Cup of Nations titles, having won the competition seven times. They finished fourth at the most recent tournament, held in Morocco in 2025.

Egypt are in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition alongside Angola, South Sudan and Malawi.