Kenya Confirms February Closure Of Key Stadia For 2027 AFCON Upgrades

Kenya Confirms February Closure Of Key Stadia For 2027 AFCON Upgrades

By Our Reporter 

Local football fixtures are set to face significant disruption following the announcement by Sports Kenya that the country’s two main stadiums; Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will be closed for renovations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The closures, expected to take effect from next month, will force clubs that rely on the two venues to seek alternative grounds for their league matches and other competitions.

Sports Kenya Director General Gabriel Komora confirmed that the facilities will be unavailable as the government embarks on major upgrades aimed at meeting Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.

“We are commencing renovations at both Nyayo and Kasarani to make them ready for the Africa Cup of Nations, and therefore they will not be available for use from February,” Komora said, as quoted by Mozzart Sport.

Komora noted that Sports Kenya is engaging contractors and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to explore measures that could reduce the impact of the closures on domestic competitions and other sporting events.

“We want to see how best to minimise the disruption so that the clubs are not affected in a big way,” he said.

Fresh from attending the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, Komora expressed optimism that Kenya’s upgraded facilities would meet international standards.

“Morocco put up an incredible tournament, and we had a chance to learn from them,” he said. “We will do everything possible to match what we saw there.”

Meanwhile, the construction of the 60,000-seat Talanta Sports City Stadium, recently proposed to be renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium, has reached an advanced stage, with more than 80 per cent of the work completed.

During a government inspection on January 23, 2026, officials confirmed that the stadium’s concrete superstructures and exterior shield motifs are fully in place. The project has now entered its final phase, which includes the installation of a high-tech ETFE canopy roof and a GrassMaster hybrid playing surface.

Supporting infrastructure such as a dedicated railway station and expanded road networks is also being fast-tracked to improve accessibility for local and international fans.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said the progress demonstrated the government’s commitment to hosting the continental tournament.

“This is proof that we are on course to deliver this project,” Mwangi said. “The government is assuring Kenyans that AFCON will be held and that we have the facilities to stage the tournament.”