Exciting news for football fans as Kenya has been selected to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The ceremonies will take place at the Talanta Sports City Stadium, currently under construction and set to be completed in time for the event.
The Talanta Sports City Stadium, located at the Jamhuri Grounds, is poised to become one of the largest stadiums in the region. With a seating capacity of 60,000, the stadium is being built to meet FIFA standards and will be able to host international matches.
The project is being overseen by the Ministry of Sports, led by Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, and constructed by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Completion is expected by December 2025, with an estimated cost exceeding Ksh30 billion.
"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 the State House Spokesperson read in part.
Kenya will host the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will be responsible for organizing fixtures and making official announcements regarding events and logistics.
In addition to the Talanta Sports City Stadium, other venues in Kenya expected to host matches include the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and the Nyayo Stadium. In Tanzania, the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and CCM Kirumba Stadium are slated to host matches, while in Uganda, matches will be played at Mandela and Nakivubo stadiums.
Kenya stands out as the only country among the three to build a new stadium specifically for the AFCON event, reflecting its commitment to making the 2027 tournament a success. Football fans across the continent are eagerly anticipating the completion of the Talanta Sports City Stadium and the exciting matches to come.