NAIROBI, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich and Ajax will meet in an exhibition match in Nairobi on January 5, 2027, to mark the official opening of Kenya's new 60,000-seat Raila Odinga International Stadium.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced the match in a prerecorded video message from Moscow, where he is attending the Russia-Africa Summit.
The two clubs have won 10 European Cup and UEFA Champions League titles between them, with Bayern claiming six and Ajax four.
"Come January 5, 2027, we will open this new modern historic match between two giants of European football, FC Bayern of Germany and AFC Ajax of Amsterdam," Ruto said.
Both clubs confirmed the fixture on social media.
"We are 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," Ajax said in a post on X.
Bayern described the fixture as a special match to begin the new year, with both teams scheduled to travel to Kenya during their winter breaks.
The stadium, whose construction began in March 2024, features a hybrid playing surface, 52 luxury boxes and facilities for video assistant refereeing and goal-line technology, according to Ruto.
Named after former Kenyan Prime Minister and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who died in India in October 2025, the stadium is the country's first purpose-built venue dedicated to football and rugby.
The main arena does not feature an athletics track, although separate running facilities are planned nearby.
The stadium is expected to be a key venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, the venue is Kenya's first newly constructed major stadium since the Chinese-built Moi International Sports Complex opened in 1987 for the All-Africa Games. ■
