Bayern and Ajax to open Nairobi stadium ahead of AFCON

Bayern Munich will face Ajax at the opening of Nairobi’s Raila Odinga International Stadium, combining the launch of a major Kenyan infrastructure project with an opportunity for the German club to expand its presence in Africa.The January 5 fixture will inaugurate the 60,000-capacity venue at Talanta Sports City, one of the key facilities being prepared for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.Bayern board member for marketing and sales Rouven Kasper said: “FC Bayern has millions of fantastic fans in Africa with whom we feel a close connection – it’s a continent with a huge passion for football.“For many years, we have consistently maintained a presence in America and Asia with our ‘Audi Summer Tour’. Now we have a new opportunity to further strengthen our connection with our fans in Africa too, to allow people to experience FC Bayern first-hand and to underline our club’s international appeal.“We will be making a further contribution to raising the profile of the Bundesliga and are very much looking forward to this special event.”The match will be broadcast live by German television channel ProSieben and through Bayern’s FC Bayern TV PLUS streaming service, extending its audience beyond those attending in Nairobi.Ticket sales are scheduled to begin on November 5, with the event intended to build interest ahead of the continental tournament.Kenyan president William Ruto announced the opening fixture in a recorded address, presenting the stadium as a significant addition to the country’s ability to stage international sport.Ruto said: “Two years ago, I promised the people of Kenya a world-class stadium where the greatest teams in the world would come and play. Today, we are keeping that promise.”Construction began in March 2024 on the site along Ngong Road, with the stadium designed to accommodate football and rugby.According to Ruto, its facilities include a hybrid playing surface, 52 hospitality boxes, video assistant refereeing and goal-line technology.He described it as Kenya’s first purpose-built football and rugby stadium and the country’s first new international stadium since Kasarani opened in 1987.The venue bears the name of former prime minister Raila Odinga, with Ruto linking that decision to his longstanding enthusiasm for football.AFCON is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first edition shared by three countries and the competition’s return to East Africa after more than 50 years.The Nairobi fixture gives the new stadium an international opening event before those tournament commitments, while providing Bayern with a further platform for supporter engagement outside its established touring markets in Europe, Asia and North America.