Nairobi To Host 2029 World Athletics Championships
John Mutanyi15 Sept 2026 5 min read
Share
Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships after winning the bid to stage the global athletics showpiece. The decision was made by the World Athletics Council in Budapest on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The victory makes Nairobi the first African city to host the World Athletics Championships. The Kenyan capital beat London in the race for the 2029 edition, while Munich was selected to host the 2031 championships.
The decision is a major milestone for the country, which has a long history of success in international athletics. Nairobi has previously hosted major World Athletics events, including the 2017 World U18 Championships and the 2021 World U20 Championships.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the selection followed a highly competitive bidding process involving strong proposals. He said Nairobi and Munich presented compelling cases and would give the sport opportunities to expand its global reach.
The 2029 championships will give Nairobi the opportunity to welcome the world's leading athletes and showcase the country's athletics tradition on home soil. The event is also expected to provide a major platform for local athletes and further strengthen the capital's reputation as a host of international sporting competitions.