NAIROBI, Kenya – Bayern Munich will receive €5 million (approximately Sh728 million) for travelling to Nairobi to face Ajax Amsterdam in a friendly match on January 5, 2027, as part of the official opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium.
The fee, equivalent to about Sh727.6 million at an exchange rate of Sh145.52 per euro, makes the fixture a major commercial undertaking for the German Bundesliga giants.
German football journalist Mano Bonke disclosed the payment, adding that Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany approved the Kenya trip before the club’s marketing and sales director, Rouven Kasper, took charge of the arrangements.
The financial details were also highlighted by German media outlet tz, with a report published by t-online stating that Bayern would collect €5 million for the Nairobi friendly.
The encounter has already been confirmed by both clubs and will take place at the 60,000-capacity stadium at Talanta Sports City along Ngong Road.
Bayern announced that the team would travel to Nairobi for a special match to kick off the new year, while Ajax confirmed that they would face the German side in the opening fixture at the new national stadium.
Why Bayern accepted the Kenya trip
The €5 million payment offers a significant commercial incentive for Bayern to make the journey during the European winter break.
According to the German reports, the financial return was an important consideration in securing approval for the trip. The club is also using the occasion to strengthen its relationship with supporters across Africa and expand its international profile.
Kasper, who is responsible for marketing and sales on Bayern’s executive board, has described the African continent as an important market for the club, pointing to its millions of supporters and the opportunity to allow them to experience Bayern first-hand.
The visit will mark Bayern’s first trip to Kenya, giving local supporters an opportunity to watch the European giants without travelling abroad.
A major football occasion for Kenya
The January 5 fixture will bring together two of Europe’s most decorated clubs, with Bayern having won the European Cup and UEFA Champions League six times and Ajax claiming the competition four times.
For Ajax, the match will also serve as part of the team’s preparations for the second half of the 2026/27 season.
President William Ruto announced the fixture, describing it as a landmark event for Kenya’s sporting infrastructure and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
The Raila Odinga International Stadium has a capacity of 60,000 and features a hybrid playing surface, 52 skyboxes, video assistant referee technology and goal-line technology, according to the President.
The government expects the venue to attract major international sporting events, support tourism and create commercial opportunities around football and other competitions.
Tickets to go on sale in November
Tickets for the Bayern-Ajax encounter are scheduled to go on sale on November 5 through the official Talanta Sports City ticketing platform.
The full financial arrangements for staging the match, including the costs of hosting both teams, sponsorship contributions and expected ticket revenue, have not been publicly itemised.
Nevertheless, Bayern’s €5 million fee highlights the scale of investment involved in attracting leading European clubs to Kenya.
The match will provide an international showcase for the new stadium ahead of AFCON 2027, while testing the country’s ability to host high-profile sporting events with global commercial appeal.
 for travelling to Nairobi to face Ajax on January 5, 2027, in the opening match at Raila Odinga International Stadium.){kind=link}