Nairobi has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Kenya the first country in Africa to host the senior global athletics championships. World Athletics announced the decision on Tuesday, September 15, following a meeting of its Council in Budapest. Nairobi emerged from a competitive field that also included London, Rome and Munich, with Munich selected to host the 2031 edition. The decision gives Africa its first opportunity to host the World Athletics Championships since the event was established in 1983. The 2027 edition will be held in Beijing, China, before the competition moves to Nairobi two years later. For Kenya, the award builds on a long association with international athletics and the country’s record of producing world and Olympic champions, particularly in middle- and long-distance events.

The championships are expected to be staged at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi’s main athletics complex. Reuters reported that Kasarani is currently undergoing renovations as Kenya prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, providing part of the infrastructure base for the 2029 championships. Nairobi has previously hosted major World Athletics events, including the 2017 World U18 Championships and the 2021 World U20 Championships. The city will now move up to hosting the senior World Championships, which attract the world’s leading track and field athletes.

Nairobi’s successful bid came against three established athletics destinations. London hosted the World Championships in 2017, while Rome staged the global event in 1987. Munich also presented a strong proposal and was ultimately awarded the 2031 championships. The decision represents a significant shift in the geographical distribution of the championships, with World Athletics taking the event to a continent that has produced some of the sport’s most successful athletes but has never previously hosted the senior global competition. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe highlighted Kenya’s deep connection with athletics and the significance of taking the championships to Africa. Winning the bid is only the beginning of Kenya’s preparations.

The country will need to ensure that competition venues, transport systems, accommodation, security, medical services and other event infrastructure meet the requirements of an international championship. The condition of Kasarani and the progress of ongoing renovations will therefore be closely watched as the 2029 event approaches. Hosting the championships will also give Kenyan athletes the opportunity to compete for world titles before a home crowd, while providing the country with an opportunity to showcase its organisational capacity and athletics heritage on a global stage. The immediate task, however, is preparation. With Nairobi now confirmed as the 2029 host, attention will shift to infrastructure upgrades, event planning and the delivery of the facilities required to stage the championships successfully. The decision means the World Athletics Championships will be held in Beijing in 2027, Nairobi in 2029 and Munich in 2031, giving Kenya its first chance to host the sport’s premier senior global competition.