Kenya Awarded 2029 World Athletics Championships
NAIROBI, Kenya — September 15, 2026: Kenya has secured the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking a historic first for Africa. Nairobi will become the first African city to stage the senior World Athletics Championships, bringing the sport’s premier global track-and-field event to the continent.
The decision was announced by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe following a Council meeting in Budapest on Tuesday. At the same meeting, Munich, Germany, was selected to host the 2031 edition. Both championships are scheduled to take place in September.
A Historic Moment for Africa
Nairobi’s victory represents a major milestone for African athletics. Kenya has long been one of the world’s dominant athletics nations, particularly in middle- and long-distance running, but the continent has never previously hosted the senior World Athletics Championships.
Coe described Nairobi’s bid as “compelling and emotional”, saying Kenya’s deep connection with athletics and Nairobi’s position as a major East African city made it an appropriate host.
“Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Coe said.
Kasarani to Host the Championships
The championships are expected to be staged at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which is undergoing renovations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Reuters reports that Kasarani will be the main venue for the 2029 championships.
Nairobi already has experience hosting major international athletics competitions. The city staged the World Athletics U18 Championships in 2017 and the World U20 Championships in 2021.
Nairobi’s Second Attempt Pays Off
Kenya previously bid to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships, but Tokyo won the hosting rights. Nairobi returned to the bidding process with a fresh proposal for 2029 and ultimately beat competing bids, including those from London and Rome.
London had been regarded by many as a strong contender and reportedly presented a bid backed by significant government and city funding. However, World Athletics ultimately chose Nairobi, making the 2029 championship the organisation’s first senior World Championships on African soil.
Kenya’s Athletics Legacy
The decision is particularly significant for a country whose sporting identity is closely linked to athletics. Kenya has produced generations of Olympic and world champions and remains one of the leading nations in distance running.
The award is also expected to provide a major opportunity to showcase Kenyan athletics, attract international visitors and demonstrate Africa’s ability to stage major global sporting events.
However, the decision comes amid continued international scrutiny over Kenya’s anti-doping record. The Guardian reported that the Kenyan government has committed US$5 million annually toward anti-doping efforts, while World Athletics said hosting the championships could help strengthen the country’s commitment to clean sport.
A New Chapter for African Athletics
With Nairobi now confirmed as the 2029 host, the championship will represent more than just another major sporting event for Kenya. It will be an opportunity for Africa to take centre stage in global athletics and for a new generation of African athletes to compete at a World Championships on home soil.
Nairobi 2029 will therefore go down in athletics history as the championship that finally brought the senior World Athletics Championships to Africa.
