Nairobi is set to make history as the first African city to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029. The Kenyan capital successfully edged out competitive bids from London, Munich, and Rome to secure the honor, a decision confirmed by the governing body during a council meeting in Budapest, Hungary.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe highlighted the difficulty of the selection process, noting that the council reviewed four exceptional proposals for both the 2029 and 2031 events. Munich, Germany, was subsequently awarded the 2031 championships. These selections ensure that the marquee track and field event will traverse Asia, Africa, and Europe over the next three iterations, following the 2027 games already slated for Beijing.
Regarding the historic move to Africa, Coe remarked that the council waited for the appropriate host and circumstances to bring the championships to the continent. He praised Nairobi for presenting an emotional and compelling bid, noting that the city has shown it is prepared to accelerate the growth of athletics in Kenya and beyond, fostering a lasting legacy for the region.
Kenya’s successful bid follows previous attempts, including an unsuccessful campaign for the 2025 championships. The nation has bolstered its credentials by hosting several significant events, such as the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships, and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships, as well as the 2010 African Athletics Championships.
The successful Nairobi proposal was anchored by a significantly stronger technical plan, which includes a comprehensive renovation of the Kasarani Stadium. This facility is currently undergoing extensive upgrades to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a move that demonstrated to the council that the local organizers fully understood the necessary infrastructure requirements to host a world-class event. The report also notes that “We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the council,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe told a news conference.
