Nairobi, Kenya, will make history as the first African city to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, following one of the most competitive bidding processes in the history of the sport’s flagship event.
World Athletics announced the decision on September 15, 2026, following the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting in Budapest. Nairobi was selected ahead of competing bids from London, Rome, and Munich, while Munich, Germany, was awarded the 2031 edition.
Awarding the 2029 championships to the Kenyan capital marks a monumental breakthrough for global athletics, bringing the sport’s biggest event to the African continent for the very first time.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “Nairobi and Munich ultimately presented two compelling propositions. They offer very different but equally exciting opportunities for our sport, and I am delighted that we can now begin working with both cities to stage two world-class championships.“We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the Council. The quality, ambition, and commitment demonstrated by all four candidates underline the strength and global appeal of the World Athletics Championships.”
He added that these selections would support World Athletics’ mission of expanding the sport globally, with the championships set to take place across Asia, Africa, and Europe over the next three editions.
Nairobi’s winning bid builds on nearly a decade of hosting major global athletics competitions. After previously bidding for the 2025 championships, which were awarded to Tokyo, Nairobi returned with an enhanced proposition backed by proven hosting experience.
The city successfully staged the 2017 World U18 Championships at Kasarani Stadium and the 2021 World U20 Championships while establishing the annual Kip Keino Classic as a premier fixture on the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold circuit since 2020. Other notable African host cities contributing to the continent’s growing track record include Kampala, 2017 World Cross Country Championships, and Gaborone, 2026 World Athletics Relays.
Kenya’s stature as an athletics powerhouse was central to the Council’s decision. Ranked as the second-most successful nation in World Athletics Championships history, Kenya recently finished second on the medal table at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, securing seven gold medals and 11 medals overall.
Describing Nairobi’s presentation as a “compelling and emotional bid,” Coe highlighted Kenya’s rich athletic tradition and legendary figures, including Faith Kipyegon, Eliud Kipchoge, Kip Keino, Vivian Cheruiyot, Hellen Obiri, David Rudisha, Paul Tergat, and Tegla Loroupe. Coe emphasized that Nairobi decisively proved, “this is their moment.”
Both the Nairobi 2029 and Munich 2031 championships will be held in September, fitting World Athletics’ calendar structure of culminating the global season with a late-summer marquee event. The two host cities will follow the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, scheduled for September 10–19, 2027.
