Kenyan President William Ruto announced in a national address on Wednesday that the opening match of the 60,000‑seat Raila Odinga International Stadium will feature German champions FC Bayern Munich and Dutch side FC Ajax on 5 January 2027.
“Come January 5, 2027, we will open this stadium with a historic match between two giants of European football, FC Bayern Munich of Germany and FC Ajax of Amsterdam. Between them, they have been crowned champions of Europe ten times,” President Ruto said.
The stadium, formerly known as Talanta Stadium, is slated to host games during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co‑host with Uganda and Tanzania. Ruto linked Bayern’s German heritage to the late former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, after whom the venue is named, and highlighted Ajax’s reputation for nurturing young talent.
“On January 5, 2027, talent and the future will meet in Nairobi,” he added.
Both clubs have confirmed participation. Ajax described the invitation as an honour, while Bayern said the event will strengthen its connection with African supporters. The match is positioned as a marquee football occasion ahead of Kenya’s AFCON preparations and is expected to be delivered through corporate partnerships and a commercial model aimed at attracting private investment and creating opportunities for Kenyans.
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