President William Ruto has announced that German football giants Bayern Munich will face Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam on January 5, 2027, during the opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City in Nairobi. The President made the announcement on Wednesday, October 28, saying the fixture would bring two of Europe’s leading clubs to the country.
The new stadium has a seating capacity of 60,000 and is expected to play a major role in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. The international friendly will give local football fans an opportunity to watch the two European sides compete on home soil.
Ruto said the match would also honour the legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, after whom the stadium is named. The President described the facility as a modern sporting venue capable of attracting leading international teams and hosting major events.
The match will take place during the European clubs’ winter break, allowing them to travel to Nairobi before their domestic leagues resume. Both clubs have confirmed their participation, with the fixture expected to attract supporters from across Africa and beyond.
Ticket sales are scheduled to begin on November 5, 2026, through the event’s official ticketing platform. The match is expected to mark a significant moment for the country’s sporting sector as it prepares to host AFCON 2027 and strengthen its position as a destination for major international sporting events.
