Nairobi has won the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making history as the first African city to stage the global track and field showpiece.
The decision was announced on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting in Budapest, Hungary.
Nairobi beat bids from London, Rome and Munich in a major victory for Kenya and African athletics.
World Athletics also awarded Munich the 2031 championships, meaning Nairobi will become the first African host of the event when the championships arrive in Kenya in 2029.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praised Nairobi’s bid, highlighting Kenya’s strong athletics tradition and the significance of taking the championships to Africa for the first time.
Kenya’s bid received government backing, with officials pointing to the country’s long history of producing world-class athletes and hosting major international competitions.
Kenya has previously hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi.
The country also hosted the 2010 African Athletics Championships.
The 2029 World Athletics Championships will give Kenyan athletes a rare opportunity to compete for global honours on home soil while exposing Nairobi to thousands of athletes, officials, fans and international visitors.
The award is also expected to boost Kenya’s position as a major destination for international sporting events and raise Africa’s profile in global athletics.
For Nairobi and Kenya, the 2029 championships will be more than another major sporting event. It will mark a historic moment when Africa finally takes its place as host of the world’s biggest track and field championships.