Kenya has won the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships after beating bids from London and Rome in a historic decision that will bring the global track-and-field showcase to Africa for the first time.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 15, during the 242nd World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest. Nairobi emerged as the preferred host city, while Munich was selected to stage the 2031 edition.
A historic victory for Nairobi
The decision marks a major milestone for Kenya and the wider African athletics community. Nairobi will become the first African city to host the World Athletics Championships, with the competition expected to be staged at the 48,000-capacity Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Kenya’s successful bid was strengthened by its long-standing record in athletics. The country has won 72 World Championships titles and 38 Olympic gold medals, particularly in middle- and long-distance events, making it one of the most respected nations in global athletics.
The country’s passionate athletics following also played an important role. Kenya has produced generations of world-class runners, and the sport remains deeply connected to the country’s national identity and sporting culture.
London and Rome miss out
Nairobi’s success came against strong competition from London and Rome. London presented an experienced bid centred on London Stadium, which hosted the 2017 World Athletics Championships and formed part of the venue network for the 2012 Olympic Games. The British capital’s proposal also had significant public backing.
Rome, another city with a rich athletics history and established sporting infrastructure, was also unable to convince the World Athletics Council to award it the 2029 event.
Despite the strength of the European bids, Nairobi’s proposal stood out for combining Kenya’s athletics heritage with plans to improve infrastructure, provide financial guarantees and demonstrate readiness to host a major international competition.africa.
Second chance proves successful
Kenya’s victory also represents a remarkable recovery after Nairobi lost the race to host the 2025 World Championships, which were eventually awarded to Tokyo.
The country returned with a stronger proposal, supported by plans to renovate Kasarani Stadium ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Those improvements helped address concerns about infrastructure and gave Nairobi a more convincing case in its contest against the established European candidates.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described Nairobi’s bid as compelling, as the organisation chose to take its flagship outdoor championships to Africa for the first time.
A responsibility for Kenya
The award presents Kenya with an opportunity to showcase its athletics heritage, tourism potential and ability to organise a world-class sporting event. It is also expected to create opportunities for investment, employment and the development of sports facilities.
However, the victory comes with significant responsibilities. Kenya will need to complete the planned stadium upgrades, maintain strong financial oversight and ensure that the event is delivered to international standards.
For a country that has spent decades dominating the track, the 2029 championships will provide a chance to welcome the athletics world to Nairobi. After overcoming London and Rome, Kenya now has three years to turn its historic bid into a successful global event.
