World Athletics has announced Nairobi, Kenya, as the host of the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making it the first African city to host the competition after beating out bids from London and Rome.
The organisation confirmed the decision in a statement on Tuesday, saying it was made at the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting in Budapest on Monday and Tuesday.
During the meeting, Munich, Germany, was also approved as host for the 2031 edition of the championships for the third time. World Athletics said both Nairobi and Munich put forward strong bids to win the hosting rights.
“Nairobi and Munich have been selected to host the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships, respectively, following one of the strongest bidding processes in the history of the sport’s flagship event.
“The decision, made during the 242nd World Athletics Council Meeting in Budapest on Monday and Tuesday (14-15), means that the World Athletics Championships will be held in Africa for the first time when the Kenyan capital stages the 2029 edition, before returning to Germany for a third time two years later, this time in Munich’s iconic Olympic Stadium,” the organisation said.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said the announcement showed the organisation’s commitment to hosting the championships in Asia, Africa and Europe over its next three editions.
“We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the Council. The quality, ambition and commitment demonstrated by all four candidates underline the strength and global appeal of the World Athletics Championships,” Mr Coe said. “With this Council decision today, we continue to fulfil our mission of growing athletics worldwide with the hosting of our World Athletics Championships in Asia, Africa and Europe over its next three editions.
He added, “Nairobi and Munich ultimately presented two compelling propositions. They offer very different but equally exciting opportunities for our sport, and I am delighted that we can now begin working with both cities to stage two world-class championships.”
After bidding unsuccessfully to stage the 2025 championships, which were awarded to Tokyo, Nairobi returned with a stronger proposal for 2029, backed by nearly a decade of experience hosting major international athletics events, including the 2017 World U18 Championships and the Kip Keino Classic.