Low-cost tickets sell out for Bayern Munich-Ajax showdown in Nairobi

Low-cost tickets sold out despite the initial pricing announcement sparking debate among football fans over affordability.

Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

The rush for tickets to the historic Bayern Munich versus Ajax friendly in Nairobi has seen the cheapest categories sell out within hours of going on sale, despite an online backlash over affordability when the prices were first announced.

The January 5 encounter will serve as the official opening match of the newly built 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City.

Demand was high when sales opened on November 5, with ticket categories priced at Sh2,500, Sh3,500 and Sh5,000 ($19, $27 and $38) selling out in a very short time.

The remaining standard categories include tickets priced at Sh15,000 ($115), and Sh20,000 ($154), alongside VIP and Skybox hospitality packages.

The initial pricing announcement sparked debate among football fans, with many questioning whether ordinary supporters could afford to attend an international fixture of this magnitude.

There were also calls for Kenyan clubs to have the honour of opening the stadium, with some arguing that a facility financed through taxpayers’ money should first be inaugurated by local football teams.

However, the rapid uptake of the lower-priced tickets points to significant demand for the high-profile European encounter.

The stadium is a key part of Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. Sports minister Salim Mvurya says the Bayern Munich-Ajax fixture will provide an important opportunity to assess Kenya’s preparedness for the tournament.

“Beyond showcasing Kenya’s capacity to host world class international sporting events, this historic encounter will serve as a critical dress rehearsal for the AFCON 2027,” he said.

Mvurya has called on the Local Organising Committee to take the lead in coordinating the match, which he says will offer a real test of the country’s event-hosting capabilities.

“This match will provide an invaluable opportunity to test our stadium operations, security arrangements, transport systems, hospitality services, crowd management and other critical infrastructure under real international match conditions.”

With the lower-priced tickets already sold out, attention now turns to the remaining ticket categories and the organisation of a fixture expected to attract international attention as Kenya steps up its preparations for AFCON 2027.

Editor: George Mutero

Marabou News Agency

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