The World Athletics Championships 2029 will officially take place in Nairobi, marking the first time in track and field history that the flagship event is held on African soil
In the same voting process, World Athletics selected the German city of Munich to stage the subsequent 2031 edition
Nairobi had previously mounted a campaign to secure the 2025 championships, which ultimately went to Tokyo
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The World Athletics Championships 2029 will officially take place in Nairobi, marking the first time in track and field history that the flagship event is held on African soil.
World Athletics made the landmark announcement during the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting in Budapest. The Kenyan capital put together a powerful bid that edged out high-profile international competitors including London and Rome.
In the same voting process, World Athletics selected the German city of Munich to stage the subsequent 2031 edition. The decision represents a historic turning point for the sport, bringing the senior global outdoor championships to a region that has produced generations of elite distance runners and world record holders.
Nairobi Defeats Premier Bidders to Land World Athletics Championships 2029
Kenya is home to some of the most recognized athletes in the world. Photo/ BBC.
Winning the hosting rights for the World Athletics Championships crowns years of persistence from Kenyan sports administrators.
Nairobi had previously mounted a campaign to secure the 2025 championships, which ultimately went to Tokyo. Rather than backing down, the bid committee refined its technical delivery plans, addressed operational feedback, and returned with a compelling proposition for 2029.
The competition for the 2029 hosting rights was fierce. London aimed to bring the event back to the London Stadium, leaning on its 2012 Olympic and 2017 World Championship hosting pedigree.
Rome also presented a strong European bid anchored by the iconic Stadio Olimpico. However, the World Athletics Council ultimately voted in favor of Nairobi’s proposal. The council praised the bid’s emotional resonance, deep roots in running culture, and solid logistical foundations.
By securing the 2029 edition, Kenya ensures that the global athletics calendar will complete a continental rotation across Asia (Beijing 2027), Africa (Nairobi 2029), and Europe (Munich 2031) over the coming years.
Kasarani Stadium Modernization Drives Infrastructure for World Athletics Championships
A cornerstone of the successful bid for the World Athletics Championshipsis the ongoing transformation of Nairobi’s primary sporting venue. The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will serve as the main stadium for the competition.
Kasarani is currently undergoing a comprehensive structural facelift. These facility enhancements are being fast-tracked as part of Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The timing gives Nairobi a unique advantage. The stadium will test its upgraded track, modernized media zones, lighting arrays, and hospitality suites during AFCON 2027 before welcoming world athletics delegations two years later.
Nairobi has already established a strong track record as an athletics venue host. The capital staged the 2017 World Athletics U18 Championships and the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships at Kasarani.
Both tournaments drew record-breaking local crowds and validated Nairobi’s capability to manage high-density international sporting competitions.
Rich Track Heritage and High Fan Engagement Elevate World Athletics Championships
Awarding the World Athletics Championships 2029 to Kenya aligns with the country’s status in track and field. Kenya sits second on the all-time World Athletics Championships medal table behind the United States.
Kenyan athletes have dominated middle- and long-distance events for decades. Legendary figures like Kip Keino, Paul Tergat, Eliud Kipchoge, David Rudisha, and Faith Kipyegon have established Kenya as an international running superpower. Hosting the championships locally allows these athletes to compete on home soil before local fans.
According to World Athletics fan research data, 68% of Kenyans surveyed expressed a high interest in track and field, compared to a global average of 39%.
That metric makes Kenya the most athletics-interested country surveyed globally. The high altitude of Nairobi (1,795 meters above sea level) also adds an intriguing element to the 2029 edition. Thinner air at elevation promises fast times in sprint disciplines, while testing the endurance reserves of distance runners.
Official Quotes and Global Reactions Surrounding World Athletics Championships 2029
Reactions to the World Athletics Championshipsdecision reflect the monumental nature of bringing the competition to Africa. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe highlighted the council’s enthusiasm for Nairobi’s vision during the press conference in Budapest.
“Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, and taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Sebastian Coe, World Athletics President said.
“Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country… It was important that the World Athletics Championships should come to Africa when we had the right host, the right bid and the right circumstances. Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment.” He continued.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Nairobi presented an compelling and emotional bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championship. Photo/
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the national and continental pride tied to the announcement.
“This is a proud moment for Kenya and the entire African continent. Winning this bid reflects the immense dedication of our government, our athletics federation, and our legendary athletes who have put Kenya on the global map. The world will come to a country where running is more than competition; it is our national story.”Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Sports said, according to BusinessDay.
Preparations will now accelerate across infrastructure, hospitality, and event management channels as Nairobi gears up to welcome thousands of athletes and international visitors in September 2029.
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