German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax have confirmed their participation in the grand opening of Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City in Nairobi, with the two European heavyweights scheduled to face off on January 5, 2027.
The confirmation from both clubs follows President William Ruto’s announcement that the sides will headline the historic opening of the 60,000-seater facility, which is expected to become one of Kenya’s leading sporting venues.
Bayern Munich confirmed the fixture through an official statement, describing it as an opportunity to connect with their supporters across Africa while celebrating the opening of the new national stadium.
“A special match to kick off the new year: On 5 January 2027, FC Bayern will travel to Nairobi to face Dutch record champions Ajax as part of the grand opening of the new national stadium, the ‘Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City’,” the German club stated.
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The Bavarian giants added that the event would be more than just a football match, with the fixture expected to celebrate the continent’s passion for the game and build excitement ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time the continental showpiece will be staged across three countries. It will also represent the competition’s return to East Africa after more than five decades.
Bayern Munich board member for marketing and sales Rouven Kasper welcomed the opportunity to bring the club closer to its African supporters, noting that the continent remains an important market for the German champions.
“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,” Kasper said.
He explained that the club had traditionally strengthened its international following through tours in other regions and viewed the Nairobi fixture as another opportunity to expand that relationship.
“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,” he added.
Kasper further noted that the visit would help raise the profile of German football, saying the club looked forward to being part of the special occasion.
“We will be making a further contribution to raising the profile of the Bundesliga and are very much looking forward to this special event,” he said.
Ajax also confirmed the fixture through its official communication channels, expressing excitement about facing the German side in the stadium’s opening match.
“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 stated.
The Amsterdam-based side added a short message to its supporters ahead of the encounter, saying, “See you on January 5, FC Bayern München.”
The match will also carry special significance for Kenya following the decision to name the stadium after the late former Prime Minister and Gor Mahia patron Raila Amolo Odinga, who died in October 2025.
President Ruto previously explained that the decision honoured Raila’s longstanding love for football and his connection with supporters. He also drew a symbolic connection between the former Prime Minister’s studies in Germany, Bayern Munich’s heritage and Ajax’s reputation for developing young talent.
The stadium, which is designed to host football and rugby, features a hybrid playing surface, 52 skyboxes, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology and goal-line technology, among other modern facilities intended to meet international standards.
Its opening will be a significant moment for Kenyan sport as the country continues preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which it will co-host with its East African neighbours.
With both clubs now confirming their participation, the Bayern Munich-Ajax encounter is set to be one of the major football events on Kenya’s sporting calendar, bringing two of Europe’s most recognisable teams to Nairobi for the unveiling of a stadium that will honour one of the country’s most influential political figures.
