The London Stadium
Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, beating London to secure the rights to stage the event for the first time in Africa.
The decision was confirmed at a World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, with President Sebastian Coe describing Nairobi’s bid as “compelling and emotional.”
“With this decision today, we continue to fulfil our mission of growing athletics worldwide,” Coe said.
“Taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic. Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment.”
London had proposed the London Stadium, home of West Ham United, as the main venue. The stadium hosted athletics during the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2017 World Championships, as well as the annual London Diamond League.
The UK bid was led by Athletic Ventures, a partnership between UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company.
UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner expressed disappointment but congratulated Nairobi on its successful bid.
Nairobi had previously bid to host the 2025 World Championships but lost out to Tokyo. The city’s Kasarani Stadium is currently being renovated ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, strengthening Kenya’s case to host the global athletics event.
Nairobi’s selection means the World Championships will be staged in Africa for the first time.
World Athletics also confirmed Munich as the host city for the 2031 championships, with Rome missing out alongside London.
Kenya finished second on the medal table at the 2025 World Championships, winning seven gold medals and 11 medals overall.