Nairobi has been awarded the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Kenya the first African country to host the global athletics showpiece.
Nairobi, Kenya — September 15, 2026: Kenya has won the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Nairobi the first African city to stage the prestigious global athletics event.
The decision was announced by World Athletics on Tuesday following a council meeting in Budapest, with Nairobi emerging ahead of bids from London, Rome and Munich. Munich was subsequently selected to host the 2031 edition.
The 2029 championships will mark a historic milestone for African athletics, bringing the world’s premier track and field competition to the continent for the first time.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the decision reflected the quality of the bids and the importance of expanding the sport’s global reach. Nairobi’s proposal was considered a strong case for taking the championships to Africa.
Kenya’s Athletics Heritage
Kenya’s selection comes as little surprise given the country’s long-standing dominance in distance running and its deep connection with athletics.
Kenya finished second in the medal standings at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, winning 11 medals, including seven gold.
The country has also demonstrated its ability to host international athletics competitions, including the 2017 World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi.
The 2029 event will now give Kenya the opportunity to combine its athletics heritage with the infrastructure and organisation required to stage one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Nairobi’s Biggest Test Yet
The decision also places significant responsibility on Kenya to ensure that the capital is ready for the global spotlight.
The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, is expected to play a central role in the championships, while ongoing investment in sports infrastructure—including the rehabilitation of Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums and development of the new Talanta Sports City facilities—will be important in preparing the country for 2029.
Beyond the stadiums, Kenya will have to demonstrate its capacity in areas including transportation, accommodation, security, technology, broadcasting and event management.
For Kenya, therefore, winning the bid is only the beginning.
Can Kenya Deliver for Africa?
The 2029 championships present an opportunity that extends beyond athletics.
A successful event could showcase Nairobi, Kenya and Africa to a global television audience while creating opportunities for tourism, hospitality, technology, media and local businesses.
It will also provide an opportunity for Kenya to demonstrate that African cities can successfully host major international sporting events at the highest level.
The championships will follow the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, before moving to Nairobi in 2029 and Munich in 2031.
For Kenya, the challenge is now clear: turn a historic bid victory into a world-class event.
The question is no longer whether Africa deserves to host the World Athletics Championships.
The question is whether Nairobi can deliver an event that changes the world’s perception of what Africa can host.