The Kenyan government has announced plans to bring Arsenal and Manchester United to Nairobi for a friendly match in 2027, as part of its efforts to promote sports tourism. According to EAG News, Kenya's Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, revealed that President William Ruto wants to host the two teams in Nairobi. This move aims to attract more international sports events to the country.
Although the plans have been announced, Arsenal and Manchester United have not yet confirmed their participation. No official date has been set for the match, nor has a ticketing plan been disclosed. If the match takes place, it would be a significant opportunity for East African fans of the teams to see them play live without having to travel to England or elsewhere.
The proposed match is likely to be held at the 60,000-capacity Raila Odinga International Stadium in Talanta Sports City. Kenya has previously hosted English Premier League teams; in 2019, Everton played a friendly match against Kariobangi Sharks at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, with the Kenyan team winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The match between Everton and Kariobangi Sharks was part of a sports exchange program that allowed Kenyan teams to compete against top English teams. In contrast, a potential match between Arsenal and Manchester United would feature two of England's top teams. The Kenyan government hopes to leverage such events to boost sports tourism and attract visitors from around the world.
Hosting Arsenal and Manchester United would be a significant coup for Kenya, which is also set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has scheduled the tournament for June 19 to July 17, 2027. This will be the first time the tournament is hosted by three countries and the first time it has been held in East Africa since 1976.
However, some Kenyan politicians have criticized the government's plans, arguing that it should prioritize paying off debts owed to local tea factories. Gathoni Wamuchomba, a member of parliament, has urged the government to settle its debts before investing in international sports events.
While the Kenyan government's plans are ambitious, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal and Manchester United will confirm their participation. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich and Ajax have already announced that they will play a friendly match at the Raila Odinga Stadium on January 5, 2027, as part of the stadium's official opening.
Key points
- The match would be a significant opportunity for East African fans of Arsenal and Manchester United to see the teams play live.
- The proposed match is likely to be held at the 60,000-capacity Raila Odinga International Stadium in Talanta Sports City.
- Kenya is also set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania.
