The World Athletics Championships will make history by moving to the African continent for the first time, as Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, has been officially selected to host the 2029 edition. London, which had also put forward a strong proposal, was passed over in the final decision. Kenya has long been recognized as a powerhouse in distance running, producing legends and Olympic champions across the decades, yet it has never before staged a sporting event of such magnitude.
The upcoming championships will mark the nation’s debut on the global athletics stage, while the subsequent edition in 2031 is slated to return to Europe, with Munich, Germany, set to host. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe announced the outcome after the Ultimate Championship concluded in Hungary.
"We were fortunate to receive four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and the council faced a very tough choice," Coe said. "The quality, ambition and commitment shown by all four candidates underscore the strength and worldwide appeal of the World Athletics Championships." Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics and co‑founder of Athletic Ventures, expressed the disappointment felt in London. "We are deeply disappointed that the 2029 World Athletics Championships will not be held in London.
We believed we had an outstanding bid that would truly elevate the sport," he said. Buckner thanked the British government, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London, UK Sport, the London Stadium, West Ham United and numerous other stakeholders for their unwavering support throughout the bidding process.
He continued, "The United Kingdom is a world‑class host for major sporting events and the British public loves athletics. Athletic Ventures remains committed to bringing marquee events to the UK, and although today's announcement did not go our way, we will review and regroup. We know athletes from around the globe relish competing here, and we will keep exploring opportunities to make that happen." Buckner concluded by congratulating the Kenyan side: "Our congratulations go to Nairobi and we wish the organising committee all the best for a great event in 2029." Nairobi’s selection is widely hailed as a watershed moment for the sport, signalling a shift toward greater geographic diversity in the hosting of elite competitions. Coe emphasized the significance, stating, "Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic.
Athletics is woven into the fabric of Kenya." The decision follows the recent Ultimate Championship, an experimental format that featured invitation‑only fields of the sport’s biggest stars and awarded substantial cash prizes instead of traditional medals. That event, held in Budapest, was a three‑day showcase. The traditional World Championships, however, will resume their usual ten‑day schedule in Beijing next year, reinstating the full complement of events—including the men’s triple jump, shot put, race walks and marathon—that were omitted from the Ultimate Championship program.
Coe highlighted Kenya’s deep connection to athletics, noting the country’s storied athletes: "Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country, and athletes such as world gold medallists Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri and David Rudisha, as well as two‑time Olympic champion Kip Keino, multiple world cross‑country champion Paul Tergat and multiple world half‑marathon champion Tegla Loroupe, have shaped the history of our sport." He added, "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." The upcoming championships in Nairobi are expected to draw athletes from every corner of the globe, competing across a full slate of track and field disciplines.
Organisers are already outlining plans for state‑of‑the‑art facilities, athlete villages, and community engagement programmes aimed at inspiring the next generation of Kenyan runners and field athletes. Local authorities have pledged to invest in infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to the newly renovated Kasarani Stadium, which will serve as the central venue. Beyond the competition itself, the event is anticipated to deliver a significant economic boost to Kenya’s capital, with tourism, hospitality and related sectors poised for growth. International media coverage will also shine a spotlight on Nairobi’s cultural vibrancy, showcasing its music, art and culinary scenes to a worldwide audience.
While London’s bid fell short, the city’s athletics community remains optimistic. UK Athletics has indicated that it will continue to pursue future opportunities to host major events, leveraging the experience gained from this campaign to strengthen future proposals. In summary, the 2029 World Athletics Championships will mark a historic first for Africa, with Nairobi set to host a ten‑day extravaganza that celebrates the sport’s global reach and Kenya’s deep‑rooted passion for running.
The decision reflects World Athletics’ commitment to expanding the sport’s footprint, ensuring that athletes and fans alike can experience world‑class competition in new and inspiring settings.