Football giants FC Bayern Munich of Germany and AFC Ajax Amsterdam of the Netherlands have committed to fielding their strongest first-team squads during the historic January 5, 2027 encounter that will officially inaugurate the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City.
Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, said both clubs had given written commitments to present their best possible starting eleven, dismissing suggestions that the match would feature legends or academy teams.
In a press statement issued Thursday, Mvurya said preparations for the international football spectacle were at an advanced stage, with the government targeting to unveil an exceptional sporting and entertainment experience.
The CS said tickets would officially go on sale at 6pm on Thursday, November 5, exclusively through the official Talanta Sports City website, with prices starting at Sh2,500 across different seating categories.
He urged supporters to purchase tickets only through authorised channels and make payments to verified accounts to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
“I am pleased to confirm that operational preparations are at an advanced stage to ensure that Kenya not only successfully hosts this historic football encounter but also delivers an extraordinary sporting and entertainment experience of a scale and quality rarely witnessed on the African continent,’” Mvurya stressed.
Mvurya said the event would feature a 12-hour fan festival, dedicated concierge services, international entertainment and activities aimed at celebrating sporting excellence and showcasing Kenya’s cultural and sporting potential.
He noted that skyboxes and premium hospitality packages would also be available for supporters seeking exclusive matchday experiences.
The CS said the match was part of the government’s broader ambition to position Kenya as a leading destination for international sporting events, attract investment and unlock opportunities in sports tourism.
He added that the event would demonstrate the country’s ability to utilise world-class sporting infrastructure commercially while ensuring its long-term financial sustainability.
Mvurya further disclosed that the encounter was fully funded through private-sector support, describing the participation of corporate partners as a demonstration of growing confidence in Kenya’s sports industry.
Beyond inaugurating the new stadium, the match will serve as a major test of Kenya’s preparedness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON PAMOJA) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The CS said the event would provide an opportunity to assess stadium operations, security arrangements, transport systems, hospitality services, crowd management and other essential facilities under actual international match conditions.
He said he had directed the AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee (LOC) to take the lead in planning, coordinating and executing the event in collaboration with relevant government ministries, agencies, sports stakeholders and private-sector partners.
Mvurya said the government was keen on using the encounter to demonstrate Kenya’s operational readiness ahead of the continental football tournament.
The January 5, 2027 fixture will bring together two of Europe’s most decorated football clubs, both of which have won the UEFA Champions League multiple times.
The CS called on Kenyans and football enthusiasts from across the world to turn out in large numbers and be part of what he described as a defining moment in the country’s sporting history.
He said the inauguration of the Raila Odinga International Stadium would mark a new chapter in Kenya’s ambition to host major international sporting competitions.
By Aron Kinyamasyo
