Business Is Booming! How CHAN Is Feeding Nairobi’s Airbnb & Hotel Market

Nairobi is on a new high this CHAN 2024 season. The city has transformed into a football tourism hub, as fans from across Africa pour in to watch Kenya, Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia battle it out in the group stage. From Nyayo Stadium to Kasarani, the excitement is palpable—traffic builds up on Lang’ata Road, fans draped in flags flood the streets, and hotels around Westlands, Upper Hill, and the CBD are busier than ever. Nairobi’s Airbnb scene is thriving too, with hosts in Madaraka, Lang’ata, South B, and Roysambu reporting full bookings weeks before the tournament kicked off.

Local hosts and hoteliers are the quiet winners of this football season. “I used to get two bookings a week from local travelers,” says Brian Njoroge, an Airbnb host in Kilimani. “Now, I’m fully booked for the entire group stage with guests from Morocco and DR Congo, and some even extended their stay to explore the city.” Rates have surged by 30‑40%, with many visitors preferring short‑stay apartments close to the stadiums. Hotels have reported occupancy of over 85%, boosted by team delegations, journalists, and local fans traveling from other counties to experience CHAN in Nairobi.

The ripple effect is evident in Nairobi’s streets and night economy. Taxi and ride‑hailing drivers are earning extra from late‑night pickups and airport transfers. Chapati and nyama choma vendors outside Nyayo are cashing in on the pre‑ and post‑match crowds, and jersey sellers in CBD and around stadium gates are moving stock faster than ever. Even popular nightlife spots are hosting football‑loving tourists who mix game days with Nairobi’s vibrant club culture. For the city’s small businesses, CHAN is more than football—it’s a rare economic windfall.

As Kenya enjoys its moment on the continental stage, football is proving to be a powerful driver of local tourism and trade. Airbnb hosts, hotels, street vendors, and nightlife operators are all part of this CHAN story, turning a football tournament into a citywide business celebration. And as the knockout stages approach, one thing is clear: the beautiful game has turned Nairobi into a winning city—on and off the pitch.