Bayern Munich vs Ajax: 3 Former Bundesliga Stars to Feature in Talanta Stadium Match

Nairobi is set to host one of the biggest club football fixtures ever staged on Kenyan soil, with Bayern Munich taking on Ajax Amsterdam at the newly built Raila Odinga International Stadium on 5 January 2027.

Former Bayern Munich players will feature in their fixture against Ajax at the Raila Odinga Stadium. Photo: Bayern Munich ana Talanta Sports City. Source: FacebookPresident William Ruto made the announcement, which was subsequently confirmed by both clubs.

The match will serve as the official inauguration of the 60,000-seat venue, the centrepiece of Talanta Sports City along Ngong Road, and forms a landmark moment for Kenyan sport ahead of the country's co-hosting of AFCON 2027.

Rigathi Gachagua challenges Ruto, unveils date for “official” opening of Raila Odinga Stadium

Three players with Bundesliga backgrounds have been highlighted in connection with the match: goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Thilo Kehrer, and attacking midfielder Julian Brandt.

Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉

Their final participation will depend on the travelling squads confirmed by each club closer to the date.

Beyond those three, Bayern Munich's England captain Harry Kane and exciting winger Michael Olise are among the star names supporters could see in Nairobi, subject to squad confirmation.

Ajax are also expected to bring recognisable talent, making the fixture a genuine draw for football fans across the region.

Ticket sales were expected to open on November 5, 2026 through the official Talanta Sports City website, though specific pricing and seating categories are yet to be publicly announced.

Fans in Germany will be able to follow the action live on ProSieben and FC Bayern TV PLUS, the club's pay-per-view streaming platform. Kenyan broadcast arrangements have not yet been confirmed.

George Ruto sparks worry after being spotted in arm sling

Ruto described the choice of opponents as particularly fitting, pointing to symbolic connection between Bayern's home country and the late former prime minister Raila Odinga, after whom the stadium is named.

Odinga studied engineering in Germany, giving the occasion a historical resonance that the president called poetic.

The friendly arrives at a significant moment for Kenyan football infrastructure. Kenya will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Tanzania and Uganda, with the tournament scheduled for June and July of that year.

Welcoming two of Europe's most storied clubs to a brand-new 60,000-seat arena is intended to signal the country's readiness to stage major international competitions.

The government has indicated the event will be underpinned by private investment and corporate partnerships, though the specific financial arrangements between the clubs and the organisers are still to be confirmed publicly.

TUKO.co.ke highlighted more facts about the inaugural match at Talanta Stadium, where Bayern Munich and Ajax are scheduled to play on January 5, 2027.

President Ruto said the clubs’ histories connect with Odinga’s life and the stadium’s name, Talanta, meaning “talent.”

DanVictor Munene (Entertainment editor) Danvictor is a journalist accredited by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), currently covering entertainment news at Tuko.co.ke. He began his career at The Star Kenya, where he extensively covered the 2024 Gen-Z led anti-government protests. He has work experience in political news, current affairs, social media management, and audience engagement. You can reach him at danvictor.munene@tuko.co.ke to share your story.