Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam will play a friendly match at Talanta Stadium on January 5, 2027, during the official opening of the newly-constructed 60,000-seater facility. The match has generated significant excitement among Kenyans, with 15,000 tickets selling out in a matter of hours. Kenya's Local Organising Committee (LOC) for AFCON 2027 sees this event as an opportunity to pick vital lessons ahead of the tournament.
The LOC is keen to use the Bayern vs Ajax match as a test event to prepare for AFCON 2027, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17. The committee aims to identify major gaps in areas such as ticketing, traffic flow, stadium access, crowd control, security, and hospitality. This will help them ensure a successful tournament.
Tony Lungaho, CEO of Kenya's AFCON 2027 LOC, emphasized the significance of the match, stating that it is a huge endorsement for Kenya to host such a high-profile game. He added that the fact that Bayern and Ajax accepted to play in Kenya makes the rest of Africa confident that the country will stage a successful AFCON.
Lungaho also expressed delight that Kenyans have shown enthusiasm for the match by snapping up tickets, demonstrating that stadiums will be full during the continental tournament next year. He noted that sponsors, broadcasters, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are watching how East African fans respond to a big night.
The LOC will conduct major simulations to ensure the stadium is event-ready, covering areas such as stadium operations, security, crowd flows, transport, hospitality, broadcasting, accreditation, and media operations. This will give them confidence in the venue and help them prepare for the demands of a four-week tournament.
The Bayern vs Ajax match will provide valuable experience for the LOC, allowing them to test their capabilities under real international match conditions. With two of the world's biggest clubs and a full house, the event will be a critical audition for the LOC's role in ensuring AFCON 2027 meets or surpasses expectations.
The match also marks a significant moment in Kenya's sports commercialization, with Lungaho stating that it is a particular moment of national pride. The event will help establish Talanta Sports City as a global sports tourism destination and showcase a self-sustaining corporate sector-led financing model.
Key points
- The Bayern vs Ajax match will serve as a test event for Kenya's AFCON 2027 LOC to prepare for the tournament.
- The match will help identify major gaps in areas such as ticketing, traffic flow, and security.
- The event marks a significant moment in Kenya's sports commercialization and will help establish Talanta Sports City as a global sports tourism destination.
