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Record Attendance at Al Capone as Guinness Matchday Redefines Premier League Viewing in Nairobi
Gerald Kombo
January 28, 2026
The Guinness Matchday activation team ready to serve fans at Al Capone, Thika Road, during the Premier League viewing experience on Sunday 25th January..
Al Capone on Thika Road became the epicenter of Premier League football fandom on Sunday 25th January as Guinness, the Official Beer of the Premier League, delivered a Matchday experience that proved one thing: Kenyan football fans will show up in record numbers when brands treat them like community, not consumers.
Scores of passionate fans packed the venue for a double header featuring Crystal Palace vs Chelsea (which ended 3 to 1) and the day's headline showdown between table topping Arsenal and archrivals Manchester United (which ended 3 to 2).
But the real story wasn't the football. It was how Guinness built an experience around massive HD screens, crisp audio, live commentary from Lotan Salapei, the Guinness Cleansheet challenge, and perfectly chilled Guinness Foreign Extra Stout that turned passive viewing into active belonging.
The Setup: Why Most Sports Bars Get It Wrong
Walk into most sports bars during a big match. One screen, maybe two if you're lucky. Audio that cuts out during crucial moments. Fans scattered across tables, half watching the game, half scrolling through their phones.
The experience delivers reach without depth. People show up. People drink. People leave. No community. No reason to return beyond convenience.
Guinness Matchday at Al Capone flipped that entire model.
The venue installed massive HD screens that captured every crunching tackle and triumphant ripple of the net in breathtaking clarity. Crisp audio delivered an unparalleled, immersive match experience.
Fans never had to crane their necks. Never missed a replay. Never struggled to hear commentary over background noise.
The technology brought Premier League football to life in Nairobi, creating a viewing environment that rivaled what you'd find at premium venues in London or Manchester.
The Matches: Drama That Kept the Room Loud
Sunday's action started with Crystal Palace versus Chelsea. The Blues asserted dominance in the London derby, brushing aside Crystal Palace 3 to 1 on their own turf.
That set the tone for what was coming next.
The highly anticipated showdown between table topping Arsenal and archrivals Manchester United delivered everything fans hoped for. The game ended in a 3 to 2 victory for Carrick's United, but the scoreline doesn't capture the drama that unfolded over 90 minutes.
Lotan Salapei engaging with fans during Guinness Matchday at Al Capone, creating memorable moments beyond the match action
Every tackle drew reactions from the packed venue. Every near miss had fans grabbing their heads. Every goal brought the room to its feet.
When the final whistle blew confirming United's win over Arsenal, Al Capone erupted. This wasn't another screening. This was theatre.
Lotan Salapei: The Voice That Amplified the Experience
Most activations book someone for appearances. Guinness booked Lotan Salapei to actually engage.
Salapei hyped up the crowd with live commentary and banter, adding an extra layer of entertainment to the day's high pressure matches.
This wasn't generic studio analysis you could get from any broadcast. Salapei broke down tactics in real time, predicted substitutions before they happened, and engaged directly with fans between fixtures.
His insightful expert punditry amplified the excitement and gave attendees perspectives unavailable through standard broadcast television.
For fans who packed Al Capone on 25th January, Salapei wasn't there for show. He was part of the reason they showed up. His presence transformed the activation from simple viewing into interactive analysis.
The Guinness Cleansheet Challenge: Knowledge Meets Bragging Rights
Beyond the pitch action, attendees enjoyed perfectly chilled Guinness and a chance to be rewarded for their passion and knowledge of the Premier League through the Guinness Cleansheet challenge.
Perfectly chilled Guinness Foreign Extra Stout served at Al Capone during the Premier League Matchday activation on Sunday 25th January in Nairobi.
The challenge kept the venue engaged from kickoff to final whistle, turning passive viewers into active participants.
Winners celebrated. Losers vowed to study harder for the next matchday. The entire room stayed locked in not because of the football, but because there was something at stake beyond the result on the screen.
Fans competed throughout both fixtures. Fans shared moments on social media and WhatsApp groups. The activation marketed itself through attendees who wanted proof they were part of something bigger than another Sunday watching football.
What Record Attendance Actually Proves
"The energy at this Guinness Matchday has been phenomenal. I'm in awe of the passion that has been exhibited by fans from both sides of the high stakes Arsenal vs Manchester United game. The fervor and energy displayed at Al Capone is the reason why Guinness Matchday exists; to bring together everyone who shares in our love for the beautiful game and perfectly chilled Guinness. We are grateful for the record attendance and will be hosting another spectacular matchday soon. We invite all our consumers to watch out for the details of where to catch the next Guinness Matchday."
Record crowds at Al Capone on 25th January proved Kenyan football fans will show up when brands deliver genuine experiences that treat them as community, not consumers with wallets.
The numbers told the story, but the atmosphere told it better. This wasn't obligation attendance. This was people choosing to gather, choosing to celebrate, choosing to share the beautiful game with others who love it as much.
Celebration moments at Guinness Matchday Al Capone as fans enjoyed Premier League action, live commentary, and perfectly chilled Guinness on Sunday 25th January in Nairobi.
The Guinness Matchday Series: A Repeatable Platform
This wasn't a one off activation thrown together for a single Sunday.
The Guinness Matchday series continues to redefine how Kenyan football fans experience the beautiful game, blending the world's most popular league with the world's most iconic beer.
The series delivers:
Massive HD screens and crisp audio that captures every moment in clear detail.
Expert analysis from credible voices like Lotan Salapei who bring insights fans can't get from standard broadcasts.
Fan challenges like the Guinness Cleansheet that reward Premier League knowledge and create shareable moments.
Perfectly chilled Guinness Foreign Extra Stout that pairs with the passion of match viewing.
Clear announcements for the next matchday while energy is still high.
Each element builds on the last. Remove one and the engagement drops. Keep them all and you get what happened at Al Capone on 25th January: record attendance and fans asking when the next one is before they've even left the venue.
What Happens Next
Guinness will be hosting another spectacular matchday soon. Football fans across the country can look forward to more exciting matchdays throughout the season.
Based on 25th January's success at Al Capone, expect the same combination: technology that doesn't compromise, analysis that adds value, competition that keeps fans engaged, and community that gives people a reason to show up.
Watch for announcements on where to catch the next Guinness Matchday.
Meet the Voices Behind the Activation
Joy Murugi | Brand Manager, Guinness
Joy Murugi oversees the Guinness Matchday series, a platform designed to redefine how Kenyan football fans experience Premier League action. Under her leadership, Guinness Matchday has evolved from standard match screenings into community activations that blend massive HD screens, expert analysis, fan challenges, and perfectly chilled Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.
Her philosophy is straightforward: treat fans like community, not consumers. The record attendance at Al Capone on 25th January proved the strategy works.
"We are grateful for the record attendance and will be hosting another spectacular matchday soon. We invite all our consumers to watch out for the details of where to catch the next Guinness Matchday."
Lotan Salapei | Expert Analyst
Lotan Salapei brought credibility and energy to the Guinness Matchday activation at Al Capone. He delivered live commentary and banter that transformed the viewing experience from passive consumption to interactive analysis.
His insightful expert punditry gave fans perspectives unavailable through standard broadcasts, breaking down tactics in real time and engaging directly with attendees between fixtures.
For fans who packed Al Capone on 25th January, Salapei wasn't entertainment. He was part of the draw. His presence elevated the entire experience and gave people insights they couldn't get at home watching alone.
The Takeaway
This wasn't about fancy screenings for fancy people. It was about showing that Kenyan football fans deserve premium experiences that treat them as community, not audience.
Guinness Matchday at Al Capone proved that when you combine technology that doesn't compromise, expert analysis that adds value, fan challenges that create competition, and perfectly chilled Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, fans will show up in record numbers.
Guinness brought the platform. Lotan Salapei brought the expertise. Joy Murugi brought the vision. And Nairobi? Nairobi showed up ready to experience the beautiful game the way it was meant to be experienced: together.
About Guinness
First brewed by Arthur Guinness in Dublin in 1759, Guinness has become the number one stout in the world. The brand has been available in Kenya for almost 50 years.
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout is the most full flavored of all, brewed with extra hops and roasted barley for a natural bite. Bitter and sweet. Refreshingly crisp. Always rewarding.
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout comes in 300ml and 500ml dark colored bottles.
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