Unique Tech Talanta Stadium Is Borrowing From Bayern Munich, Arsenal Stadiums
Talanta Sports City is being designed to match leading global arenas in technology, sustainability, and versatility.
Marvin Chege 
The government has confirmed that the 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya is 66 per cent complete, as of November 14, 2025. This however means that it will not reach its intended target of completion in December 2025.
Towering above Jamhuri Sports Grounds in Nairobi, the football-rugby only sporting facility will be the largest stadium in the whole country, and the first purpose-built, international-standard facility built in Kenya since 1987, when the Moi International Sports Centre (Kasarani) was built to host the All-Africa Games.
If remarks by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya are anything to go by, the latest Kenyans should expect the new stadium to be fully ready for operations is February 2026.
He noted that all major exterior and infrastructural works are expected to be completed by the end of December 2025, after which finishing works will begin in preparation for full operationalization in the new year.
Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya during a comprehensive inspection of Talanta City stadium on November 14, 2025. /SALIM MVURYA
"I have conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Talanta City Stadium, which now stands at 66% completion. By the end of December 2025, all exterior and major infrastructural works will be finalized, paving the way for the contractor to commence finishing works in preparation for full operationalization by February 2026," he revealed in a statement.
Talanta Stadium Features
Poised to become Kenya’s first purpose-built international stadium in 39 years, Talanta Sports City is being designed to match leading global arenas in technology, sustainability, and versatility. While primarily a football stadium, it will also accommodate rugby, major concerts, and other high-profile events.
The venue will feature world-class broadcast facilities meeting FIFA and CAF standards, alongside Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and goal-line technology. "When it is complete, we will look for a worthy team to come and play here,” CS Mvurya told journalists, adding that Kenya hopes to attract international sides for the grand opening.
Additional amenities include integrated digital systems, parking for 3,000 vehicles, and sustainability features such as botanical gardens and green spaces. The project is being executed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
Facade
While unconfirmed, Viral Tea has learnt that the facility will be one of the few in Africa to have modern technology such as a media facade, a building exterior on its outer wall that will double up as a giant digital display. It uses LEDs, projections, or other tech to show images, videos, or live data.
This technology will see the stadium be used for advertising, branding, or public art, turning it into a dynamic, interactive experience. It might also display information like news or event updates, blending architecture with media to create visually striking urban landmarks.
This technology has been showcased in several stadiums worldwide, such as the Allianz Arena, home of Germany's football giants Bayern Munich, typically creating striking visuals at night.
Currently, no stadium in the country features it, while in the region, Uganda’s new Hoima City Stadium—comparable to Talanta Stadium—has partially implemented it. The stadium’s curtain wall will feature steel frameworks and intricate patterns, later complemented with artistic elements and LED panels.
Perimeter Advertising
Another feature that could be included in the interior of the stadium is perimeter advertising, sandwiching the middle tier, according to information shared by Kenya Stadiums on its Facebook and YouTube pages and photos shared by official government accounts on social media.
Perimeter advertising refers to the digital or static advertising boards that surround the edge of a sports field, usually along the sidelines or behind goals. These boards display brands, sponsors, and promotional content to both stadium spectators and broadcast audiences, making them a highly effective marketing tool.
Modern perimeter boards often use LED technology, allowing dynamic, animated, and even live content that can be changed instantly during games.
Today, perimeter advertising is common in major football, rugby, and basketball stadiums worldwide. Iconic examples include the Allianz Arena, Wembley Stadium in the UK, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and more recently, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, where LED boards are used to display rotating sponsor messages during matches.
LED perimeter advertising boards at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. /STADIA MAGAZINE
In Africa, stadiums like FNB Stadium in South Africa also use perimeter LED displays during high-profile football matches, with Talanta set to join the few stadia in the continent with this modern tech. This form of advertising maximizes brand visibility, especially in televised events, turning the stadium perimeter into a constant revenue-generating space.
Another modern highlight is the 52 luxury sky boxes, positioned high for panoramic views. These suites offer climate control, TVs, private bars, snacks, drinks, and dedicated staff, providing top-tier comfort. They cater to high-profile guests, including government officials and investors, allowing them to network and enjoy football simultaneously.
CS Mvurya added that that complementary projects, including road upgrades, rail connectivity, utilities, and other supporting infrastructure, are progressing steadily to ensure smooth access and functionality of the stadium, which will witness arguably its highest human traffic ever during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
One of those road upgrades currently underway is the construction of a Ksh3.6 billion four-lane flyover along Ngong Road near the Junction Mall area, complete with walkways and cycling paths, which will eliminate bottlenecks at key junctions and greatly cut down travel time for motorists, public transport users, and pedestrians alike to and from the stadium.
The project also encompasses a new power substation, upgrades to the water system, and a secure railway connection linking Talanta City to Bomas. Road construction plans have been surveyed, and procurement is almost complete.
A delegation recently visited China to inspect project materials; the majority have already arrived, with the remainder currently in transit.
"The iconic monumental project is a cornerstone in positioning Kenya as a continental and global sporting powerhouse, elevating our capacity to host world-class events while showcasing Kenya’s excellence, ambition, and growing reputation in modern sports infrastructure development," CS Mvurya added.
Construction works at Talanta City stadium as of November 14, 2025. /SALIM MVURYA
