Bayern Munich confirmed they will play Ajax in the inaugural match at Kenya’s new 60,000-seat Raila Odinga International Stadium.
The German club announced the fixture on X, confirming that the encounter will take place on January 5, 2027, at Talanta Sports City in Nairobi. Ajax also confirmed their participation in the stadium’s opening.
The visit will be Bayern’s first to Kenya, according to the Bundesliga. The friendly falls during the German league’s winter break, while Ajax said it would conclude their preparations for the second half of the season.
The stadium is among the venues scheduled to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will stage jointly with Uganda and Tanzania.
It will be the tournament’s first edition across three countries and its first appearance in East Africa since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.
Rouven Kasper, Bayern’s board member for marketing and sales, said the trip would allow the club to strengthen its relationship with African supporters.
“FC Bayern has millions of fantastic fans in Africa with whom we feel a close connection,” Kasper said in the club’s announcement.
He said Bayern’s international tours had maintained the club’s presence in Asia and the Americas, and the Nairobi fixture offered an opportunity to bring a similar experience to supporters in Africa. He also said the event would help raise the Bundesliga’s profile.
Ajax described the invitation as an honour and the encounter as a serious test against Germany’s record champions.
The clubs have won Europe’s leading club competition 10 times between them, with six titles for Bayern and four for Ajax.
Their most recent competitive meeting ended in a 3-3 draw in Amsterdam during the Champions League group stage in December 2018.
Bayern said the Nairobi match would be broadcast live on ProSieben and its FC Bayern TV PLUS streaming service. Tickets will go on sale on November 5 through the Talanta Sports City website.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10