Talanta Stadium – design description

How did the construction of Talanta Stadium come about?

In September 2023, Kenya, along with Tanzania and Uganda, was awarded the right to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. At the same time, reports began to emerge about plans to build a large and modern, football-specific stadium in Nairobi, which would become a major football arena and the largest stadium in the country.

The Kenya Defense Forces Engineering Department will lead the investment on behalf of the government. The role of the main contractor has been entrusted to a Chinese state-owned company, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which has already carried out some major infrastructure projects in Kenya.

What was the first information about the new Talanta Stadium?

As early as September 2023, a preliminary rendering of the new Talanta Stadium appeared. The facility was to take the shape of a characteristic Masai shield and accommodate 50,000 spectators. Later, however, a new concept with a more typical oval form was developed and the planned capacity was increased to 60,000 spectators.

When will Talanta Stadium be built?

The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Kenyan President William Ruto, took place on March 1, 2024. The new stadium should be ready by the end of 2025. The cost of construction is expected to be 45.3 billion Kenyan shillings.

A report on the construction of Talanta Stadium can be seen on a separate subpage

What will Talanta Stadium be like?

The new stadium is expected to meet all standards for hosting major international competitions. The facility will accommodate 60,000 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the country and one of the largest in East Africa. The stands will be adjusted to a rectangular pitch – for fooball or rugby.

The auditorium will be divided into three levels and will be fully covered, and the seats are to be in the colors present on the national flag – black, red and green. On the outside, the stadium will receive a decorative facade, adorned with the distinctive shields and spears of the Kenyan flag.

The motif of the Masai shield will also be present in the spatial layout of the entire complex. Surrounding the stadium will be training fields and running tracks, as well as parking lots for 3,000 cars. The entire complex will occupy more than 45 hectares and will be called Talanta Sports City.

The stadium is to be built in the western part of Nairobi, in the Jamhuri Park area, off Ngong Road. The site formerly housed a meadow, and several playing fields were laid out between 2020 and 2022, which will be partially removed due to the construction of the stadium, and partially incorporated into the new complex.

What will be the significance of Talanta Stadium?

The construction of Talanta Stadium is the largest investment in sports infrastructure in Kenya's history and the first of its kind since the 1980s, when Kasarani Stadium and Nyayo Stadium were built in Nairobi.

The construction of such a large and modern stadium is a milestone for Kenya in terms of the development of sports facilities. Thanks to the investment, the country will boast a high-end stadium comparable to many of the top football arenas in Europe.

The facility will de facto serve as Kenya's national stadium, hosting national team matches and other major sports and cultural events. During the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, it is expected to be the main venue of the tournament – it will host the opening game and the final.