Kenya beats UK to host 2029 World Athletics Championships

Kenya has been awarded the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships after winning the bid against competition from the United Kingdom.

The decision was announced during the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting held in Budapest, marking a historic milestone for African athletics. The 2029 championships will mark the first time the global flagship athletics event is staged on the African continent.

Nairobi had previously submitted a bid to host the 2025 edition, which was ultimately awarded to Tokyo.

However, the Kenyan capital has hosted major international track events in recent years, including the World U18 Championships in 2017 and the World U20 Championships in 2021.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe commended Nairobi’s bid, describing it as compelling and emotional while celebrating the sport’s deep connection to the country.

“Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, and taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Coe said.

“Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country.”

Alongside the 2029 host announcement, World Athletics confirmed that Munich will host the 2031 World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium, returning the global tournament to Germany for the first time since the 2009 edition in Berlin.

“Germany has proved time and again that it is an outstanding and dependable host for major athletics events,” Coe added.