Bayern München and Ajax will meet in Nairobi on 5 January to open the Raila Odinga International Stadium. Bayern will visit Kenya for the first time ever, and the match comes as the new ground is built ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nairobi’s stadium opening
The fixture has real pull because it is tied to a first for the country, not just a winter-break exhibition. The stadium opening gives the friendly a clear purpose, and tickets are due on sale from 5 November at talantasportscity.com.
Kenya’s role in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations also gives the setting some extra weight, with the tournament set to be co-hosted by three countries. That does not make the game competitive, but it does mean the venue launch lands in a broader football context rather than as a one-off showpiece.
The rivalry behind the trip
Bayern and Ajax have met 10 times competitively, with three wins apiece and four draws. Their last meeting finished 3-3 in December 2018, with four goals in the final 10 minutes, so this is a pairing that has produced more than a routine friendly in the past.
The European pedigree is part of the attraction too. The two clubs have combined for 10 European Cups or Champions League titles, which helps explain why this announcement feels bigger than a standard midwinter tour match. On 5 January, the headline will be the venue in Nairobi, but the clubs arriving there carry plenty of history as well.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
