FC Bayern has announced a real surprise for the winter break. Instead of preparing exclusively at Säbener Straße for the second half of the season, the German record champions will travel to Africa in early January. There, they’ll face a notable opponent in a friendly match: Ajax Amsterdam. However, the match will not take place in a typical stadium; rather, it is part of a special event in Kenya.
As the Munich club officially announced, FCB will face the Dutch record champions on January 5, 2027, in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. The friendly match will be played as part of the opening ceremony for the new national stadium.
For Bayern, this is an unusual fixture in the middle of their winter training camp. After all, the Bundesliga is set to resume just a few days later.
Bayern aims to strengthen its presence in Africa
The friendly match is not just about sports. The game is also intended to serve as a warm-up for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in the summer of 2027.
In addition, FC Bayern aims to further expand its international presence and strengthen ties with its numerous fans on the African continent.
Rouven Kasper, Executive Board Member for Marketing and Sales at the German record champions, emphasized the significance of the trip. “FC Bayern has millions of wonderful fans in Africa with whom we feel a close connection—it’s a continent with a tremendous passion for soccer,” explained the Bayern official.
For the Munich-based club, the match thus offers an opportunity to showcase itself to an international audience while simultaneously advancing its preparations for upcoming competitive matches.
For soccer fans in Kenya, too, the clash between two storied European clubs is sure to be a special event.
A reunion with familiar Bundesliga faces
FC Bayern faces an attractive opponent in Ajax Amsterdam. The Dutch record champions boast several players who are also very familiar to German soccer fans.
These include, among others, former German national team players Julian Brandt and Thilo Kehrer. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is now also under contract with Ajax.
For Bayern, this matchup thus offers an interesting and challenging test right before the Bundesliga resumes.
Fans in Germany will also be able to watch the match. As previously announced, ProSieben will broadcast the friendly live on free-to-air TV on January 5.
However, the Munich team won’t have much time to recover afterward. Their first Bundesliga league match of 2027 is already scheduled for the following weekend.
FC Bayern will travel to face Borussia Mönchengladbach, aiming for a successful start to the second half of the season.
The trip to Nairobi is thus likely to be a unique blend of international brand exposure and athletic preparation. For the record-holding champions, it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate their connection to the many Bayern fans in Africa.