Nairobi to host 2029 World Athletics Championships
The Kenyan capital will become the first African host of the championships after defeating bids from London, Munich and Rome.
Nairobi will host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time the event has been staged in an African city.
World Athletics announced the decision after a council meeting in Budapest on Tuesday. Munich was selected to host the 2031 championships, while Beijing has already been awarded the 2027 event.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said the council had considered four bids for the 2029 and 2031 championships. He described Nairobi’s selection as a historic step and said the bid could support the development of athletics in Kenya and across Africa.
Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium is undergoing a complete renovation ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Coe said the bidding team had returned with a stronger proposal after Kenya’s unsuccessful bid for the 2025 championships.
Kenya has previously hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships. Nairobi staged the 2010 African Athletics Championships.
