German giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam will play a friendly match in Nairobi on January 5, 2027, to mark the ceremonial opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City.
The two clubs confirmed the fixture in separate announcements, following President William Ruto’s announcement that the match would headline the opening of the new national stadium.
Bayern said the trip to Nairobi would be a special way to begin the new year.
“A special match to kick off the new year: FC Bayern travels to Nairobi on January 5, 2027, and will face Ajax Amsterdam there as part of the ceremonial opening of the new national stadium ‘Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City’,” the German club said on X.
Ajax also confirmed its participation, saying it was proud to have been selected for the inaugural match at the facility.
“We’re proud to announce that we will face FC Bayern in the opening match of the new Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City in Nairobi, Kenya,” the Dutch club said.
President Ruto said the fixture would bring together two of Europe’s most decorated clubs, which have won the continent’s premier club competition a combined 10 times.
“There is a quiet poetry in this fixture. Raila studied in Germany, now a great German club will come to play in the house that bears his name,” Ruto said.
He also drew a link between Ajax’s tradition of developing young players and the name Talanta, which means talent in Swahili.
“For generations, Ajax built its greatness on young talent, nurtured in an academy whose very name is the future. Talanta means talent. Ajax’s Academy is called the future. On January 5, 2027, talent and the future will meet in Nairobi,” he said.
Ruto said the stadium’s opening would be supported by corporate partnerships and a commercially sustainable model designed to attract private investment, generate revenue and create opportunities for Kenyans.
“This is more than the opening of a stadium. It is a statement of who we are, and most importantly, who we are becoming,” he said.
The match will also provide an international showcase for Kenya’s sporting infrastructure as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Tanzania and Uganda under the Pamoja banner.
Ruto said the three East African countries were preparing to welcome visitors from across Africa and the rest of the world, adding that the stadium would demonstrate Kenya’s readiness to host major international sporting events.
“From this stadium, our message to the world is clear: Kenya is ready to welcome the world, and Africa is ready for greatness,” he said.
Afcon 2027 is expected to provide an opportunity for the region to boost tourism, attract investment and demonstrate its capacity to stage major sporting competitions.
The Bayern Munich-Ajax encounter is expected to put Nairobi in the international football spotlight as Kenya steps up preparations for the continental tournament.
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