The upcoming World Athletics Championships will make history by moving to Africa for the first time, as Kenya's capital Nairobi has been selected to stage the 2029 edition. This decision means that London, which had also submitted a strong proposal, will not be the host city for that year. Kenya has long been recognized as a powerhouse in distance running, producing legendary athletes and dominating many international events. Yet, despite its deep roots in the sport, the country has never before hosted a championship of this magnitude.
The 2029 meet will therefore mark a watershed moment for African athletics, showcasing the continent's capacity to organise a world‑class competition. After Nairobi, the next host will be Munich, Germany, which will welcome the championships in 2031.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe explained the selection process after the conclusion of the Ultimate Championship in Hungary. "We received four excellent bids for the 2029 and 2031 editions, and the council faced a very tough choice," Coe said. He added that the quality, ambition and dedication shown by each applicant highlighted the global appeal and strength of the World Athletics Championships.
The disappointment in London was palpable. Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics and co‑founder of Athletic Ventures, expressed his regret that the capital would miss out on the 2029 event.
"We are deeply disappointed that the 2029 World Athletics Championships will not be held in London. We believed we had an outstanding bid which would genuinely take the sport to new levels," Buckner said.
He thanked the UK 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. Buckner also stressed that the United Kingdom remains a premier destination for major sporting spectacles and that the British public continues to love athletics.
"Athletic Ventures has the ambition to bring those events here and, although today's announcement hasn't gone our way, we will review and regroup. We know the world's athletes love competing here and we'll continue to explore further opportunities to make that happen," he added. He concluded by congratulating Nairobi and wishing the organising committee success for the 2029 championships.
Nairobi's triumph is being hailed as a landmark achievement for the sport. Coe noted that moving the championships to Africa for the first time would be "historic" and emphasized that athletics is "woven into the fabric of Kenya." He cited a long list of Kenyan greats—Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri, David Rudisha, the late Kip Keino, Paul Tergat and Tegla Loroupe—who have left an indelible mark on the sport at the world and Olympic levels. The decision also follows the recent Ultimate Championship, a one‑off event that replaced traditional medals with large cash prizes and featured an invitation‑only roster of the sport's biggest names.
That experimental format will give way to the classic ten‑day World Championships programme next year in Beijing, which will again include the full complement of track and field disciplines such as the men's triple jump, shot put, race walking and marathon—events that were omitted from the condensed Budapest schedule. Looking ahead, Nairobi faces the challenge and opportunity of delivering a world‑class event that meets the high standards set by previous hosts while also highlighting Africa's unique sporting culture. The city will need to ensure top‑tier facilities, reliable transport, accommodation for thousands of athletes and officials, and robust broadcasting capabilities to reach a global audience. Kenyan officials have already begun outlining plans for a state‑of‑the‑art stadium upgrade, enhanced athlete villages, and community engagement programmes that will involve local schools and clubs in the lead‑up to the championships.
Beyond the logistics, the symbolic importance of the 2029 championships cannot be overstated. For many African athletes, competing on home soil in front of passionate local crowds will be a career‑defining experience. It also offers a platform to inspire the next generation of runners, jumpers, throwers and walkers across the continent. The event is expected to attract significant tourism revenue, boost infrastructure development, and reinforce Kenya's reputation as a hub for elite sport.
The selection of Nairobi underscores a broader shift within international sport toward greater geographic diversity in hosting rights. By awarding the championships to a city that has never before hosted such a large‑scale athletics event, World Athletics signals its commitment to expanding the sport's reach and fostering growth in regions that have historically been under‑represented in the hosting rotation. In summary, while London’s bid fell short, Nairobi’s appointment as the 2029 World Athletics Championships host marks a historic milestone for African athletics.
The move promises to celebrate Kenya’s rich running heritage, showcase the continent’s capacity to stage major sporting events, and inspire athletes worldwide. As preparations commence, the global athletics community will be watching closely to see how Nairobi rises to the occasion and delivers a championship that lives up to the sport’s storied legacy.