Nairobi, Kenya has been awarded the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making it the first African city to stage the global athletics showpiece.
The World Athletics Council announced the decision on Tuesday, September 15, at its meeting in Budapest, Hungary. Nairobi beat bids from London, Rome and Munich to secure the 2029 edition.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described Nairobi’s bid as “compelling and emotional”, highlighting Kenya’s deep-rooted athletics tradition and Nairobi’s position as a major political, economic and cultural hub in East Africa.
The decision gives Africa its first opportunity to host the senior outdoor World Athletics Championships since the competition was launched in 1983.
Kenya’s bid was backed by its strong record in athletics and experience hosting major international competitions, including the 2017 World U18 Championships, 2021 World U20 Championships and the annual Kip Keino Classic.
The 2029 championships are expected to be staged in September, with Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium at the centre of the hosting plans. The championships will be preceded by the 2027 edition in Beijing, China.
World Athletics also awarded the 2031 championships to Munich, Germany.