MILESTONE: Nairobi Beats London, Rome & Munich to Host 2029 World Athletics Championships
Nairobi has secured the hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships after defeating competing bids from London, Rome and Munich in a closely contested selection process.
The historic decision was announced on September 15, 2026, during the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting held in Budapest, marking a significant achievement for Kenya and African athletics.
The 2029 championships will become the first edition of the global athletics competition to be staged on African soil, giving the continent an opportunity to host the sport’s premier event.
“We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the Council,” stated World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
World Athletics also awarded the 2031 championships to Munich, Germany.
Nairobi’s selection recognises Kenya’s longstanding track-and-field tradition and its prominence in global athletics.
“Nairobi and Munich ultimately presented two compelling propositions,” added Coe.
“They offer very different but equally exciting opportunities for our sport, and I am delighted that we can now begin working with both cities to stage two world-class championships.“
The selection involved four outstanding bids for the 2029 and 2031 editions, with the council assessing the quality, ambition, operational readiness, and commitment of each candidate.
Nairobi’s successful bid was supported by financial guarantees, detailed operational plans, international event experience and preparations to upgrade its main athletics stadium.
Why Nairobi?
Nairobi had previously sought to host the 2025 championships but lost the bid, returning in 2029 with a stronger proposal built on years of experience in international athletics.
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The capital has hosted major competitions, including the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships, and its annual athletics meeting has strengthened its credentials as an event host.
Kenya’s strong public interest in athletics was also evident in the assessment according to World Athletics, with 68 per cent of surveyed Kenyans reporting high interest, compared with a global average of 39 per cent.
The country is also the second-most successful nation in World Athletics Championships history and won seven gold medals among 11 medals at the 2025 championships.
The 2029 championships will mark a major expansion of the global athletics calendar, with the event following the 2027 edition scheduled for Beijing from September 10 to 19.
The global competition, which will host big names in the track and field facet, comes at a time when the country is stepping up on major sports infrastructure developments.
These include the multibillion-shilling Talanta Stadium, and the rehabilitation of the Kasarani and the Nyayo stadiums.
MILESTONE: Nairobi Beats London, Rome & Munich to Host 2029 World Athletics Championships
