The stadium is expected to host the first match of the tournament as well as the final when the champions of Africa will be crowned.
The government, through the Office of State House Spokesperson on Sunday, July 7 announced that Kenya would play host to the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening and closing ceremonies.
Both editions are set to be held at the Talanta Sports City Stadium which is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in time to host matches and ceremonies during the continental football extravaganza.
The stadium is expected to host the first match of the tournament as well as the final when the champions of Africa will be crowned.
Once completed, it is expected to be one of the largest in the region and up to FIFA standards accredited to host international matches.
An interior impression of the Talanta Stadium. /FILE
“The tremendous progress in the construction of the 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City, the prime Sports Arena being built at the Jamhuri Grounds, under Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba’s Sports Ministry. This is where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2027 Afcon will be held,” a statement from the office of State House Spokesperson read in part.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) was yet to ascertain if Kenya would play host to both the opening and closing ceremonies. It is mandated to draw up the fixtures and make all events and logistics announcements.
The facility’s groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by President William Ruto in March at the Jamhuri Showground.
The development comes even as Kenya, together with its neighbours Tanzania and Uganda, continue to lay the ground to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Stadium serving as one of the main host locations.
Other stadiums in Kenya expected to host matches include the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and the Nyayo Stadium, all in Nairobi.
In Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and CCM Kirumba Stadium are tentatively on the list expected to host AFCON matches. Uganda is expected to host matches at Mandela and Nakivubo stadiums.
Kenya is the only country among the trio that has embarked on building a stadium just for the football extravaganza.
The new sports complex is exclusively a football field; unlike all of the country’s other stadiums, and does not have a running track. However, a secondary outdoor pitch will be available, which will have a running track.
Its initially anticipated “shield-like” structure has been replaced with a more contemporary covered form that has excellent nighttime lighting.
Construction will occur between March 2024 and December 2025, or a little less than two years. The Kenya Defence Forces will oversee the construction of the stadium by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
While the cost of constructing the stadium has not been made public, it is expected to cost upwards of Ksh30 billion.
Kenya decided to involve the KDF in this huge project because of the military’s outstanding accomplishment in building the 10,000-seat Ulinzi Sports Complex in the shortest amount of time.
According to Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, the Ministry of Defence would oversee projects for “precision in execution and delivery” as the primary supervisor, while his ministry would provide funding.
