Nairobi, January 30 2026 — Kenya’s flagship sporting dream is taking shape in steel and glass. The Government of Kenya says Talanta Sports City Stadium is 85% complete and on track to be ready by Saturday, 28 February, positioning the venue as the beating heart of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
A National Beacon for PAMOJA
Built as the centerpiece of Kenya’s joint PAMOJA bid with Uganda and Tanzania, Talanta Stadium is designed to be an ultramodern arena that lifts the country’s sporting infrastructure into a new era. Groundbreaking took place in March 2024, with President William Ruto presiding over the launch of the 60,000-seat project that promises to transform how Kenya stages major events.
Construction Momentum
The project, contracted to the China Road and Bridge Corporation, has advanced rapidly. Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, who toured the site with Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, released images showing dramatic progress: the curtain wall is finished, all steelwork is in place, and the stadium’s outward façade now reflects the bold vision sketched at the start of the build.
Cultural Design Meets Cutting-Edge Engineering
Kenyan shields and cultural motifs now adorn the exterior, weaving national identity into the stadium’s modern silhouette. Engineers have completed the computerized hydraulic tension system that supports the roof, and the main roof structure has been successfully installed. Work has shifted to fitting the canopy, with a section already in place.
The canopy uses Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene ETFE, a lightweight membrane favored in contemporary stadium design for its ability to shield fans while bathing the bowl in natural light.
Pitch Progress and Final Touches
On the field, levelling and drainage works are complete and the playing surface is being prepared in earnest. Officials expect the pitch to be ready by 28 February, though final approval may wait to ensure the grass reaches full maturity and meets competition standards.
What Comes Next
With structural milestones achieved, the final phase will focus on finishing touches: canopy installation, interior fit-out, seating, and systems testing. If timelines hold, Talanta Stadium will stand ready not just as a venue, but as a symbol of Kenya’s ambition to host a world-class AFCON — a modern coliseum where sport, culture, and national pride converge.
