Kenya awarded 2029 World Athletics Championships

Kenya’s selection to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships gives Africa its first staging of the sport’s premier global event. Nairobi’s award also strengthens the country’s position at the centre of international athletics, following years of success on the track, roads and in cross-country.

World Athletics confirmed Nairobi as host on 15 September 2026 after a council meeting in Budapest. The championships will follow the 2027 edition in Beijing, while Munich has been chosen for 2031. London and Rome had also sought one of those two later editions.

Kenya is the second most successful nation in World Championships history and has produced champions including Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri and Kip Keino. Interest in athletics is also unusually strong domestically: 68 percent of Kenyan respondents in a World Athletics survey described their interest as high, compared with 39 percent globally.

Nairobi’s bid benefited from its previous campaign for the 2025 championships, which were awarded to Tokyo, and from its record of hosting major events. Kenya staged the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, while Nairobi hosted the 2017 World U18 and 2021 World U20 championships, as well as the 2010 African Championships. The Kasarani Stadium is undergoing a major renovation ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, adding to the city’s preparations.