Nairobi Selected as First African Host for World Athletics Championships in 2029

Nairobi has officially been chosen to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, securing a landmark achievement that will see track and field's flagship competition staged on the African continent for the very first time. The announcement marks a historic milestone for international sports, ending a long wait for Africa to welcome the global athletics spectacle.

The Kenyan capital emerged victorious following an intense competitive bidding process against several of Europe’s most prominent sporting cities. In securing the hosting rights, Nairobi successfully outperformed rival proposals submitted by London, Rome, and Munich, demonstrating the compelling strength of its bid to the sport's global leadership.

The official decision was finalized and announced by the World Athletics Council during its formal meeting in Budapest, Hungary. The Hungarian capital, which recently staged the newly launched Ultimate Championships, served as the venue where international track and field administrators determined the future calendar for the sport's premier global competitions.

Alongside Nairobi’s selection for the 2029 event, World Athletics also confirmed the host for the subsequent tournament. The governing body announced that Munich, Germany, will take on hosting responsibilities for the 2031 World Athletics Championships, granting the Bavarian city the opportunity to stage the marquee gathering two years after Nairobi.

The dual allocation for 2029 and 2031 establishes a globally balanced itinerary for the governing body over the coming years. With the 2027 edition already awarded to the Chinese capital of Beijing, the latest council decisions ensure that the World Athletics Championships will move across three distinct continents in consecutive cycles, traveling from Asia to Africa and then to Europe.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe spoke openly about the fierce contest between the candidate cities, highlighting the exceptional quality of each applicant. Speaking to reporters at a press conference following the council meeting in Budapest, the British sports administrator acknowledged that choosing the winning candidates was far from a straightforward task for the executive leadership.

Coe stated that the council was fortunate to consider four outstanding proposals for the 2029 and 2031 editions. Because of the remarkable standard demonstrated across all candidate files, arriving at a final determination required thorough deliberation among council members before settling on the winning hosts.

The confirmation of Nairobi holds immense institutional and symbolic importance for the sport. Coe described taking the championships to Africa for the very first time as a truly historic step, emphasizing that the Kenyan delegation had delivered a presentation that was both compelling and deeply emotional for the decision-makers.

Reflecting on the decision, Coe pointed out that the sport had always aimed to stage its flagship event in Africa, but needed to wait until all operational elements aligned properly. He noted that it was vital for the World Championships to arrive on the continent only when there was the right host city, a solid bid, and the right overall circumstances in place.

The World Athletics leadership expressed strong confidence that bringing the elite competition to Kenya will generate substantial momentum for the sport. According to Coe, Nairobi proved decisively that this is the ideal moment to supercharge the development of track and field across Kenya and the entire African continent, leaving a lasting and inspirational legacy.

A key factor supporting Nairobi’s successful bid was the country's ongoing commitment to upgrading its primary sports infrastructure. The centerpiece of the city's venue plan is the renowned Kasarani Stadium, a facility that is currently undergoing a comprehensive and sweeping overhaul to elevate it to the highest international specifications.

The modernization of Kasarani Stadium fits into a broader national infrastructure drive. The extensive renovation work is already underway as part of Kenya’s preparations to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, ensuring that the stadium will be completely modernized well before the global track and field championships arrive in 2029.

Nairobi’s triumph also represents the culmination of a persistent effort by Kenyan sports authorities following earlier setbacks. Kenya had previously launched an unsuccessful bid to stage the 2025 World Athletics Championships, but organizers used that experience to refine their strategy and construct a far stronger proposition for the 2029 cycle.

Coe commended the bidding team's resilience, noting that having participated in the 2025 selection process, the Kenyan organizers understood exactly what was required to win. They returned with a reinforced case and a modernized stadium plan that ultimately convinced the World Athletics Council.

Nairobi's readiness is further underpinned by Kenya's extensive track record of organizing major international athletics competitions. The country previously welcomed global competitors when it staged the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, as well as the 2010 African Athletics Championships in Nairobi.

Additionally, the capital has successfully managed high-level international age-group competitions in recent years. Nairobi served as the host city for the World Under-18 Championships in 2017 and later staged the World Under-20 Championships in 2021, providing the operational experience necessary to secure the senior world championships for 2029.