The upcoming World Athletics Championships will make history by moving to the African continent for the first time, as Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, has been selected to stage the 2029 edition. This decision means that London, which had also submitted a strong bid, will not be the host city. Kenya, renowned worldwide for its dominance in distance running, has never before organized an event of this magnitude, and the selection of Nairobi marks a significant milestone for both the nation and the sport.
Kenya’s reputation as a powerhouse in long‑distance events is well established, yet the country has not yet had the opportunity to welcome a global championships of this scale. The 2029 championships will be followed by a return to Germany in 2031, with Munich slated to host the next edition.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe announced the outcome after the Ultimate Championship event in Hungary, noting that the council faced a difficult choice among four high‑quality proposals for the 2029 and 2031 contests. "We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the council," Coe said. He added that the level of ambition, quality, and dedication shown by each applicant highlighted the worldwide appeal and strength of the World Athletics Championships.
Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics and co‑founder of Athletic Ventures, expressed profound disappointment at the news. "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," he remarked. 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 and hard work in assembling the bid. He continued, "The UK is an incredible host for major sports events and the British public loves 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. Our congratulations go to Nairobi and we wish the organising committee all the best for a great event in 2029." The selection of Nairobi is being hailed as a landmark achievement for athletics, signifying the sport's first major global championship on African soil.
Coe emphasized the historic nature of the decision, stating, "Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic. Athletics is woven into the fabric of Kenya." The recent Ultimate Championship introduced a novel format, offering large cash prizes instead of medals and featuring an invitation‑only roster of the sport's biggest stars. That experimental event will give way to the traditional World Championships format next year in Beijing, returning to a ten‑day schedule that includes the full complement of track and field disciplines.
This means events such as the men’s triple jump, shot put, race walks, and marathon—none of which appeared in the Budapest Ultimate Championship—will return to the program. Coe highlighted Kenya’s deep connection to athletics, citing legendary athletes who have shaped the sport’s history. He mentioned world champions and Olympic medalists such as Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri, David Rudisha, and the iconic two‑time Olympic champion Kip Keino, as well as cross‑country legend Paul Tergat and half‑marathon star Tegla Loroupe. "Kenya is one of the great athletics nations.
The sport is woven into the fabric of the country," Coe said, underscoring the cultural significance of the upcoming championships. He added that the timing was right for Africa to host the event, noting that Nairobi’s bid demonstrated the necessary infrastructure, enthusiasm, and organizational capability. "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," Coe concluded.
The move to Nairobi is expected to bring numerous benefits beyond the competition itself. It will provide a platform for African athletes to perform before a home crowd, inspire a new generation of runners, and boost tourism and investment in Kenya’s capital. The city will need to ensure world‑class facilities, athlete accommodations, and transport logistics meet the stringent standards set by World Athletics.
Preparations will likely involve upgrades to existing stadiums, the construction of new training venues, and collaborations with local and international partners to deliver a seamless event. In addition to the athletic spectacle, the championships are poised to showcase Kenya’s rich cultural heritage, from traditional music and dance to its vibrant culinary scene. Fans from around the globe will have the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere that only Nairobi can offer, blending the excitement of elite sport with the warmth of Kenyan hospitality. Overall, the decision to award the 2029 World Athletics Championships to Nairobi marks a transformative moment for the sport, expanding its global footprint and affirming Africa’s growing role on the world stage.
While London’s bid fell short, the UK remains a key player in athletics, and future opportunities to host major events are likely to arise. For now, the focus shifts to Nairobi, where athletes, officials, and supporters will prepare for a historic celebration of track and field that promises to leave a lasting legacy for the continent and the sport as a whole.