The upcoming World Athletics Championships will make history by moving to the African continent for the first time, with Nairobi, Kenya, officially selected to stage the 2029 edition. This decision means that London, which had also put forward a strong proposal, will not be the host city. Kenya, renowned worldwide for its dominance in distance running, has never before organized an event of such magnitude, and the selection of its capital marks a significant milestone for both the nation and the sport.
Kenya’s reputation as a powerhouse in middle‑ and long‑distance events is well‑established, yet the country has not yet hosted a global championship that brings together the full spectrum of track and field disciplines. The 2029 Championships will therefore be a landmark occasion, showcasing Kenya’s passion for athletics on a world stage and providing an opportunity for African fans to experience the full program of events—from sprints and hurdles to throws, jumps, race walks and the marathon. The next edition after Nairobi’s turn will travel to Europe again, with Munich, Germany slated to host the 2031 Championships.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe announced the decision at the conclusion of the Ultimate Championship held in Hungary. He explained that the council had received four high‑quality bids for the 2029 and 2031 tournaments, making the selection process particularly challenging. Coe praised the ambition, quality and commitment demonstrated by all four candidates, noting that their proposals highlighted the enduring global appeal of the World Athletics Championships. "We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the council," Coe said.
"The quality, ambition and commitment demonstrated by all four candidates underlines the strength and global appeal of the World Athletics Championships." The news was met with disappointment in the United Kingdom. Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics and co‑founder of Athletic Ventures, expressed his regret that London would not host the 2029 event. He emphasized that the British bid had been crafted to elevate the sport to new heights and thanked a wide range of partners for their support throughout the process.
"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. "We would like to thank the Government, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and UK Sport for their fantastic support for our bid. Our thanks also to the London Stadium, West Ham United and our many stakeholders for their commitment and hard work to put the bid together." Buckner went on to highlight the United Kingdom’s proven ability to host major sporting spectacles and the enthusiasm of the British public for athletics.
He assured that Athletic Ventures would regroup and continue to seek opportunities to bring world‑class competitions to the UK, despite the setback. "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," he added. "Our congratulations go to Nairobi and we wish the organising committee all the best for a great event in 2029." Nairobi’s successful bid is being hailed as a historic moment for the sport. Coe underscored the symbolic importance of bringing the Championships to Africa for the first time, noting how deeply athletics is embedded in Kenyan culture.
"Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic," Coe remarked. "Athletics is woven into the fabric of Kenya." The decision follows a recent experiment in the sport’s format: the Ultimate Championship, which featured a limited, invitation‑only field of elite athletes competing for large cash prizes rather than medals. That event, held in Budapest, lasted only three days and omitted several traditional disciplines.
The World Athletics Championships will return to the classic ten‑day schedule next year in Beijing, reinstating the full slate of events, including the men’s triple jump, shot put, race walks and the marathon—contests that were absent from the Ultimate Championship program. Coe also highlighted Kenya’s rich athletic heritage, naming a host of legendary Kenyan athletes who have shaped the sport’s history. He cited Olympic and world champions such as Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri, David Rudisha, the late Kip Keino, Paul Tergat and Tegla Loroupe, emphasizing how their achievements reflect the nation’s deep connection to athletics. "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," Coe added. He concluded by stressing that the timing was right for Africa to host the Championships, given the strength of Nairobi’s bid and the broader circumstances surrounding global sport.
"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 said. The selection of Nairobi promises to bring significant economic and cultural benefits to Kenya, with expectations of increased tourism, infrastructure development and global visibility.
It also offers an inspirational platform for young African athletes, who will see the pinnacle of their sport performed on their home continent. As preparations begin, the world will watch closely to see how Kenya leverages its storied running legacy into a successful, inclusive, and unforgettable championship experience.