Athletics: Nairobi to host 2029 World Championships, a first for Africa
World Athletics has awarded the 2029 World Championships to Nairobi. The Kenyan capital will become the first African city to host the global event, ahead of Munich in 2031.
Nairobi will host the World Athletics Championships in 2029, marking a first for the African continent. World Athletics officially announced this decision on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, following the 242nd meeting of its Council in Budapest, while Munich will host the 2031 edition.
The competition is set to take place at the Kasarani Stadium, which is currently undergoing extensive renovations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Nairobi already has international experience, having previously hosted the U18 World Championships in 2017, the U20 World Championships in 2021, and the Kip Keino Classic, part of the Continental Tour Gold.
Kenya holds significant weight in global athletics. World Athletics ranks it as the second most successful nation in the history of the World Championships. At the Tokyo 2025 Championships, the country finished second in the medal table, securing seven titles and a total of eleven medals.
The decision follows the evaluation of four bids for the 2029 and 2031 editions. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe highlighted the strength of the Kenyan bid, its organizational experience, and the high level of local interest in athletics. A study cited by the organization indicates that 68% of respondents in Kenya express a strong interest in the sport, compared to a global average of 39%.
The next edition of the World Championships will take place in Beijing from September 10 to 19, 2027. World Athletics also confirmed that Nairobi 2029 and Munich 2031 will be scheduled for September as part of its international end-of-season calendar.
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