Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Kenya’s capital the first African city to stage the global athletics event.
World Athletics announced the decision on September 15, 2026, following a council meeting in Budapest, Hungary. The organisation also awarded the 2031 edition to Munich, Germany.
The 2029 championships will be held at Kasarani Stadium, which is currently undergoing renovations ahead of its planned role in hosting matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nairobi’s selection follows an earlier unsuccessful bid to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which was awarded to Tokyo. The Kenyan capital has previously hosted major international athletics competitions, including the World U18 Championships in 2017 and the World U20 Championships in 2021.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described Nairobi’s bid as compelling and highlighted the significance of bringing the championships to Africa for the first time. He also pointed to Kenya’s long-standing connection with athletics and its contribution to the sport globally.
The 2031 championships will return to Germany, with Munich set to host the event at the Olympic Stadium. Germany last hosted the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in 2009.
Both the 2029 Nairobi championships and the 2031 Munich edition are scheduled for September, following the September timing planned for the 2027 championships in Beijing.
The decision marks a significant milestone for Kenya and African athletics, bringing one of the sport’s biggest global competitions to the continent for the first time.
