The Raila Odinga International Stadium is nearing completion ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where it is expected to serve as Kenya’s flagship venue in the continental showpiece.
Rising at the historic Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road, the 60,000-seat ultra-modern arena has reached its final construction phase, with major structural works complete and teams now finalizing ICT systems, broadcast infrastructure and spectator facilities.
Purpose-built for football and rugby, the stadium is designed to deliver a world-class fan experience, with stands positioned close to the field of play.
Its distinctive architecture draws inspiration from Maasai shield and spear motifs, while the facility incorporates a hybrid playing surface, smart technologies, solar energy systems and rainwater harvesting infrastructure, demonstrating Kenya’s ambition to deliver a modern and sustainable sporting landmark.
The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration continues to play a critical role in creating the enabling environment necessary for the successful delivery and future operation of the facility, including coordinating multi-agency preparedness, event security planning, emergency response frameworks and crowd management systems required for a world-class stadium capable of hosting major international tournaments.
The tournament will be staged in East Africa for the first time in 51 years with 24 teams to be confirmed for the finals, which are to be staged from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
This edition of the tournament will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.
This event is part of the Africa Cup of Nations’ 70th anniversary. It will also be the last one to be held in odd-numbered years, as CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would become a quadrennial tournament from 2028 onwards.
