Bayern Munich described the encounter as a special match to kick off the new year, confirming that the club would travel to Nairobi for the occasion

President William Ruto during a tour of Talanta stadium in Nairobi/PCS

German giants FC Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam have confirmed they will face off on January 5, 2027, during the ceremonial opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City in Nairobi.

The two clubs announced the fixture separately, confirming an international football showdown that President William Ruto said would mark the opening of the new national stadium.

“A special match to kick off the new year: FC Bayern travels to Nairobi on January 5, 2027, and will face Ajax Amsterdam there as part of the ceremonial opening of the new national stadium ‘Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City’,” the German club said on X.

Ajax also confirmed its participation, expressing pride in being selected for the inaugural match at the facility.

“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 said.

President Ruto said the fixture would bring together two of Europe's most decorated clubs, which have collectively won the continent's premier club competition 10 times.

“There is a quiet poetry in this fixture. Raila studied in Germany, now a great German club will come to play in the house that bears his name,” Ruto said.

He also linked Ajax's tradition of developing young players to the name Talanta, saying the match would symbolically unite talent and the future.

“For generations, Ajax built its greatness on young talent, nurtured in an academy whose very name is the future. Talanta means talent. Ajax's Academy is called the future. On January 5, 2027, talent and the future will meet in Nairobi,” he said.

Ruto said the opening event would be delivered through corporate partnerships and a self-sustaining commercial model, allowing the facility to attract private investment, generate revenue and create opportunities for Kenyans.

“This is more than the opening of a stadium. It is a statement of who we are, and most importantly, who we are becoming,” he said.

The match will also serve as an international showcase for Kenya's sporting infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda under the Pamoja banner.

Ruto said the three East African nations were preparing to welcome the continent and the world, adding that the stadium would demonstrate Kenya's readiness to host major international sporting events.

“From this stadium, our message to the world is clear: Kenya is ready to welcome the world, and Africa is ready for greatness,” he said.

The tournament is expected to offer the region an opportunity to boost tourism, attract investment and showcase its capacity to organise major sporting competitions.

The Bayern-Ajax encounter will place Nairobi in the international football spotlight as Kenya steps up preparations for AFCON 2027.