Bayern Munich to Play Against Ajax at Talanta Stadium, Ruto Announces

Bayern Munich Striker Harry Kane

President William Ruto has announced that German champions Bayern Munich will face Dutch giants Ajax during the opening ceremony of Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium on January 5, 2027.

The President said the international friendly would be financed by the private sector, with the match expected to attract attention from football fans across Africa.

Speaking during a special address on Wednesday, October 28, Ruto described the fixture as a historic match that would mark the stadium’s official opening.

“Come January 2027, we will open this stadium with a historic match of international football between FC Bayern and Ajax,” Ruto said.

Clubs Expected in Nairobi During Winter Break

The proposed fixture is scheduled for a period when both clubs are expected to be approaching the end of their respective winter breaks.

Bayern Munich compete in Germany’s Bundesliga, while Ajax play in the Dutch Eredivisie, with both leagues traditionally pausing around the festive season.

The timing could provide an opportunity for the European sides to play an international friendly before their domestic competitions resume.

The match could also give Kenyan supporters an opportunity to watch two well-known European clubs play on local soil.

Ajax Responds to Invitation

Ajax has reportedly responded to the invitation, with organisers presenting the match as a major sporting occasion for East Africa.

The club’s statement described the planned encounter as a meeting between two established names in European football and an important moment for Kenya’s sporting ambitions.

Bayern Munich and Ajax have both won the UEFA Champions League multiple times, adding to the profile of the proposed fixture.

The announcement comes as Kenya prepares for its ambitions around the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which it is set to co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.

The stadium opening is expected to form part of Kenya’s broader efforts to strengthen its sporting facilities and attract major international football events.