The upcoming World Athletics Championships will make history by moving to the African continent for the first time, with Nairobi, Kenya confirmed as the host city for the 2029 edition. This decision means that London, which had also put forward a strong proposal, will not be the venue for the event. Kenya has long been recognized as a powerhouse in distance running, producing legendary athletes and dominating many international races.
Despite this rich heritage, the country has never before staged a competition of such magnitude. The 2029 Championships will therefore be a landmark moment for Kenyan sport, showcasing the nation’s deep connection to athletics on a global stage.
After Nairobi, the next host will be Munich, Germany, which will stage the 2031 Championships. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe announced the outcome after the recent Ultimate Championship held in Hungary.
He explained that the council received four high‑quality bids for the 2029 and 2031 editions, making the final decision particularly challenging. Coe praised the ambition, quality and commitment demonstrated by all candidates, noting that the strong interest underscored the 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 Britain. Buckner said the British bid was exceptional and would have elevated the sport to new heights.
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 and hard work in assembling the proposal. While acknowledging that the decision did not go in their favor, Buckner affirmed that the United Kingdom remains a premier destination for major sporting events and that the British public’s enthusiasm for athletics is strong. He indicated that Athletic Ventures will regroup, review its strategy and continue to pursue opportunities to bring world‑class competitions to the UK, confident that athletes worldwide love competing on British soil.
Buckner also offered congratulations to Nairobi, wishing the organizing committee a successful and memorable event in 2029. The selection of Nairobi is being hailed as a historic turning point for the sport. Coe emphasized that bringing the Championships to Africa for the first time is a momentous step, noting that athletics is deeply embedded in Kenya’s cultural fabric.
He highlighted the country’s storied athletes—gold‑medalists such as Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri and David Rudisha, as well as icons like two‑time Olympic champion Kip Keino, multiple world cross‑country champion Paul Tergat and half‑marathon legend Tegla Loroupe—who have helped shape the global narrative of track and field. Coe added that the timing was right for Africa to host the Championships, given the right host city, a compelling bid and favorable circumstances. Nairobi’s successful bid demonstrated that the city is prepared to deliver a world‑class event and that the continent is ready to welcome the sport’s biggest stage. The 2029 Championships will follow the traditional format of a ten‑day, multi‑discipline meet, reverting to the classic structure after the experimental Ultimate Championship, which featured a condensed three‑day schedule and prize money instead of medals for a select field of elite athletes.
The upcoming edition in Beijing next year will also adhere to the traditional format, offering a full slate of events that includes the men’s triple jump, shot put, race walking, marathon and many other disciplines that were omitted from the recent Ultimate Championship in Budapest. Hosting the Championships in Nairobi will provide a boost not only to Kenyan athletics but also to the broader African sporting landscape.
It will attract athletes, coaches, officials, media and fans from around the world, fostering tourism, infrastructure development and international exposure for the city. The event is expected to inspire a new generation of African athletes, offering them the chance to compete on home soil at the sport’s pinnacle. In summary, while London’s bid fell short, Nairobi’s selection marks a significant milestone for World Athletics, reflecting the sport’s growing global reach and the increasing recognition of Africa’s contributions to track and field.
The 2029 World Athletics Championships promise to be a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural exchange and the unifying power of sport, setting the stage for future editions in Munich and beyond.