In a landmark decision announced by World Athletics following a council meeting in Budapest, Nairobi has been chosen to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The selection marks a monumental achievement for international sport, as Kenya becomes the first African nation ever to secure the hosting rights for track and field’s flagship global event.
Nairobi emerged victorious after overcoming intense competition from three major European cities: London, Munich, and Rome. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praised the quality of all competing bids, acknowledging that choosing a host was a difficult process for the council.
Ultimately, however, Nairobi offered a deeply persuasive proposal that convinced officials the time had finally arrived for Africa to host the prestigious tournament. Coe noted that bringing the championships to the continent for the first time will leave a lasting legacy that inspires future generations across Africa while helping to expand the international footprint of track and field.
The decision forms part of a broader global strategy by World Athletics to stage its premier competition across three different continents over three successive editions. Following Beijing in 2027 and Nairobi in 2029, the 2031 championships will return to Europe after being awarded to Munich, Germany.
Addressing concerns about three consecutive events taking place outside Europe, Coe affirmed that while the continent remains a central heartland for track and field, the governing body has a duty to expand the sport’s reach across its more than 200 member federations.
Kenya’s successful bid comes after a previous attempt to host the 2025 championships fell short. Refining their approach, Kenyan organizers presented a stronger proposition centered on the complete overhaul of Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, which is already undergoing major renovations ahead of co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The country also relied on its strong track record of staging international athletics competitions, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa as well as the World Under-18 and Under-20 Championships in Nairobi in 2017 and 2021.
Responding to the historic announcement, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya stated that the decision reflects the global athletics community’s recognition of Kenya’s central place in the sport.
He emphasized that running is interwoven into the nation’s identity, representing a shared national story where every generation grows up believing it can produce the next world champion.