Kenya to Shut Major Stadiums for AFCON 2027 Upgrades as Pressure Mounts to Match Morocco Standards

Kenya has announced plans to temporarily close and renovate its main football stadiums as preparations for hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) intensify, with authorities under pressure to meet the high standards set by Morocco.

The move is expected to significantly affect local football, with domestic matches facing uncertainty after Sports Kenya confirmed that the country’s flagship venues will soon be unavailable. Clubs will now be forced to identify alternative grounds for their league fixtures as Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, are both scheduled for extensive upgrades ahead of the continental showpiece.

Sports Kenya Director General Gabriel Komora confirmed that the closures will take effect from next month, signalling the start of a crucial renovation phase.

Sports Kenya Confirms Stadium Closures

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

He acknowledged the challenges the closures pose to local competitions, noting that discussions are ongoing with contractors and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to explore ways of reducing disruption to sporting activities.

“Our goal is to see how best we can minimise the disruption so that clubs and other users are not affected in a major way,” Komora explained.

Fresh from attending the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, Komora said the visit provided valuable lessons and inspiration. He expressed optimism that Kenya’s refurbished facilities will meet international expectations.

“Morocco delivered an exceptional tournament, and we had the opportunity to learn a lot from their organisation and infrastructure,” he said. “We are committed to doing everything possible to reach that level.”

Progress Update on Talanta Sports City Stadium

At the same time, construction work at the 60,000-capacity Talanta Sports City Stadium—recently proposed for renaming as Raila Odinga International Stadium—has passed a significant milestone, with more than 80 per cent of the project now complete.

Following a government inspection conducted on January 23, 2026, officials confirmed that the main concrete superstructures and distinctive exterior shield designs have been fully completed.

The project has now entered its final phase, with contractors concentrating on installing the advanced ETFE canopy roof and laying the state-of-the-art GrassMaster hybrid playing surface.

In parallel, supporting infrastructure such as a dedicated railway station and expanded road networks is being accelerated to improve accessibility for both local and international fans during AFCON.

Reaffirming the government’s confidence, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi stated, “This progress shows that we are firmly on course to deliver. The government is assuring Kenyans that AFCON will be hosted successfully and that the necessary facilities will be in place.”

With stadium renovations and new developments gathering pace, Kenya continues to push forward in its bid to stage a world-class AFCON in 2027.