Kenya Wins Bid to Host 2029 World Athletics Championships

What the report says

Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, a decision that makes Kenya the first African nation to stage the sport’s flagship global event. According to Nile Post, the choice was announced after the World Athletics Council met in Budapest, Hungary, on September 14 and 15, with Nairobi and Munich emerging from a four-city bidding process for the 2029 and 2031 editions.

The article says Kenya’s bid was strengthened by its long record in international athletics and by Nairobi’s previous experience hosting major events, including the 2017 World U18 Championships, the 2021 World U20 Championships and the annual Kip Keino Classic. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Nairobi and Munich both presented strong proposals, while acknowledging the decision was competitive. Kenya’s president, William Ruto, welcomed the award as a milestone for the country and the continent and thanked the bid team, Athletics Kenya, and the sports ministry.

World Athletics said the renovated Kasarani Stadium will be the centrepiece of the 2029 championships. The stadium is undergoing a major overhaul ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which adds broader context to Kenya’s preparations for hosting large international competitions. The next World Athletics Championships will be in Beijing in 2027 before moving to Nairobi in 2029 and Munich in 2031.