Temi Kings
Track and field history was made today as World Athletics officially announced that Nairobi, Kenya has been selected as the host city for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
The decision, confirmed following the 242nd World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, marks the first time in the history of the sport that its premier outdoor championship will take place on African soil.
Nairobi edged out powerhouse bids from London and Rome after presenting what World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described as a "compelling and emotional bid."
Why Nairobi Won: Infrastructure, Passion, and Legacy
Kenya has long been a powerhouse in middle- and long-distance running, sitting second on the all-time World Athletics Championships medal table behind only the United States. However, bringing the global flagship event to East Africa required more than athletic prowess.
Three key factors sealed the win for the Kenyan capital:
Kasarani Stadium Overhaul: A major factor behind the successful proposal is the ongoing structural renovation of Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, which is being upgraded ahead of co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Fanatic Local Interest: World Athletics market research revealed that 68% of Kenyans surveyed express a high interest in track and field, nearly double the global average (39%).
Proven Event Execution: Having previously hosted the 2017 World U18 Championships, the 2021 World U20 Championships, and annual stops on the Continental Tour Gold, Nairobi demonstrated firm operational stability.
"It was important that the World Athletics Championships should come to Africa when we had the right host, the right bid, and the right circumstances. Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment."
— Sebastian Coe, World Athletics President
What This Means for Global Sport
For decades, African athletes have traveled across the globe to capture titles in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Staging the 2029 event in East Africa redefines the global footprint of athletics.
With superstars like Faith Kipyegon, Eliud Kipchoge, and a new generation of rising sprinters, the local crowd inside Kasarani Stadium in September 2029 is set to deliver an atmosphere unmatched in track and field history.