Bayern Munich and Ajax to open Raila Odinga International Stadium on 5 January
President Ruto says the friendly will launch the 60,000-seat stadium on Ngong Road, formerly known as Talanta Stadium.
Based on 2 sources, listed at the end of this story.
The Raila Odinga International Stadium on Ngong Road, Nairobi. File photo, 2026. Photo: Raymond Omollo / Wikimedia Commons, CC0, cropped
German club Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax will play the first match at the new Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi on 5 January 2027, President William Ruto announced in a recorded address on Wednesday evening.
The 60,000-seat stadium on Ngong Road, formerly called Talanta Stadium, is Kenya's first purpose-built football and rugby stadium, Ruto said. He said it has a hybrid playing surface, 52 sky boxes, video assistant refereeing and goal-line technology, and that construction began in March 2024.
"Two years ago, I promised the people of Kenya a world-class stadium," Ruto said, adding that the match would keep that promise. He noted that the two clubs have won the European Cup 10 times between them.
The stadium is part of Kenya's preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host from 19 June to 17 July. Kenya wants to host the opening and closing ceremonies, but the Confederation of African Football has not announced where they will be held. World Rugby has also scheduled the Nairobi round of the 2027 HSBC SVNS series for the stadium on 23 and 24 January.
