The 2029 World Athletics Championships will be held in Nairobi, marking the first time the event takes place on the African continent. The decision was announced by World Athletics, the sport’s governing body, which selected the Kenyan capital over London, despite the British city’s previously successful hosting of the championships in 2017 and a bid supported by £35 million in government funding.

Seb Coe, president of World Athletics and a two-time Olympic champion for Britain, described the choice as historic, emphasizing Nairobi’s role as a rapidly growing metropolis and a key economic, cultural, and political hub in East Africa. “Athletics is interwoven into the fabric of Kenya,” Coe said, highlighting the sport’s immense popularity in the country where it ranks as the second-most followed sport. He noted the bid’s emotional strength and its potential to inspire a lasting legacy across Africa.

Kenya’s prominence in track and field is well established, with the nation finishing second in the medal table at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, earning seven gold medals. However, the country has faced challenges related to doping, with the Athletics Integrity Unit listing up to 150 Kenyan athletes currently serving bans.

The announcement was made during a council meeting in Budapest, where Munich was awarded the 2031 edition of the championships, while Rome was also not selected to host. London’s bid aimed solely at the 2029 event, with hopes that it would boost the UK economy and further enhance the country’s reputation for staging major sporting events. The 2017 championships in London were widely regarded as a success, attracting sell-out crowds.

UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner expressed disappointment with the outcome, acknowledging the strength of London’s bid and the extensive support from various government bodies and organizations, including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London, and UK Sport. Buckner praised the British public’s enthusiasm for athletics and applauded Nairobi on its successful bid. He added that UK Athletics would review the process and continue efforts to bring major events to the UK in the future.

In London, athletics remains a major draw, with recent gatherings such as the London Diamond League meeting at Stratford attracting crowds of up to 59,000. Despite potential scheduling challenges posed by stadium tenants West Ham United, organizers believed there would have been no issues with hosting the championship during the 2029-30 season.

Nairobi’s selection reflects World Athletics’ broader goal of expanding the sport’s global reach and connecting with new audiences, particularly in regions where athletics has deep cultural significance and considerable fan engagement.