Raila Odinga International Stadium will host its opening football event on January 5, 2027.
Sports PS Elijah Mwangi says sponsors will fund the January 5, 2027 event, with Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards also taking part.
Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam will send senior teams for the Nairobi stadium opening, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi says. The January 5, 2027 event will inaugurate the Raila Odinga International Stadium.
Mwangi dismissed speculation that the European clubs would instead send former players or reserve squads. He said the government had approached their main teams for the exhibition fixture.
Local rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards will also play during the inauguration. The newly completed venue, previously known as Talanta Sports City, forms part of Kenya’s preparations for AFCON 2027.
Sponsors to fund Nairobi stadium opening
Addressing concerns about hosting costs, Mwangi said private sponsors would finance the event rather than public funds. He maintained that the government would not use its money to stage the game.
Meanwhile, the PS presented the clubs’ visit as an opportunity to promote Kenya’s sporting facilities internationally. He estimated that Bayern and Ajax together have more than 300 million supporters worldwide.
That following, he said, would provide a platform to showcase what Kenya can offer an international audience. The fixture would therefore serve both as a stadium celebration and an opportunity to raise the country’s profile.
Alongside the visiting clubs, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards will represent Kenyan football at the unveiling. Mwangi confirmed that both local sides would participate in the event.
European clubs join Kenya’s AFCON build-up
Bayern and Ajax have won a combined 10 European Cup and UEFA Champions League titles. Their involvement would bring two of Europe’s most successful football clubs to the Nairobi venue.
The clubs last met in December 2018 during the Champions League group stage. That encounter ended in a 3-3 draw, with four goals coming in the final 10 minutes.
The January fixture also comes as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania prepare to co-host AFCON 2027. For the first time, three countries will jointly stage the continental football championship.
The Raila Odinga International Stadium is expected to play a central role in Kenya’s hosting plans. Its completion also adds to the country’s sporting infrastructure as Kenya seeks to attract more international competitions.
