Kenya targets AFCON 2027 opening match and final

Kenya has formally entered the race to host both the opening match and final of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, putting pressure on co-hosts Uganda and Tanzania ahead of CAF’s decision on the tournament’s two biggest fixtures.

Kenya’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) told Parliament’s Select Committee on Regional Integration that preparations for the tournament are 80% complete, while the new 60,000-capacity Raila Odinga International Stadium has reached 95% completion.

LOC chairman Nicholas Musonye believes the Nairobi stadium and Kenya’s wider infrastructure give the country a strong case to stage the opening match and final.

“We stand a good chance to host both the opening and closing ceremonies,” Musonye told MPs, pointing to the new stadium as a major advantage.

He also highlighted Kenya’s security and hotel capacity, saying the country was confident of receiving a strong assessment when CAF conducts its next inspection.

CAF has confirmed that the 2027 AFCON will begin on 19 June, with the final scheduled for 17 July, but has yet to announce the venues for either fixture.

The governing body said in May that the country hosting the opening match and final would be confirmed at a later date.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are continuing preparations to host the first three-nation AFCON, with CAF assessing stadiums, transport, accommodation, security and other infrastructure before allocating the headline fixtures.

The Raila Odinga International Stadium, formerly known as Talanta Sports City, is expected to become Kenya’s main venue for the tournament. Construction was reported to be 91% complete in June, with work then focused on areas including broadcasting systems, ICT infrastructure, spectator facilities, landscaping and the hybrid pitch.

Uganda is also seeking to strengthen its case, with Mandela National Stadium in Namboole undergoing further upgrades that are expected to increase its capacity from 38,268 to 45,000.

The Ugandan government has committed significant resources to preparations, including investment in stadiums, roads, railways, airports, hotels and security infrastructure.

Hoima City Stadium is another key venue, although remedial work has been required following observations made by CAF inspectors.

The eventual decision on the opening match and final is expected to take into account more than stadium capacity, with transport links, hospitality, media facilities and security also likely to influence CAF’s assessment.

Kenyan parliamentary committee chairperson Irene Mayaka said MPs would inspect facilities in Kenya and could also visit Uganda and Tanzania to assess preparations across the three host nations.

“We want to ensure that everything is on track,” she said.

PAMOJA 2027 will be the first Africa Cup of Nations to be jointly hosted by three countries and the first edition staged in East Africa since Ethiopia hosted the tournament in 1976.

CAF expects more than 1.5 million supporters to attend matches across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.