Kenya has formally submitted its bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, seeking to make Nairobi the first African city ever to stage track and field’s premier global event. The bid pits the Kenyan capital against rival candidacies from London, Rome and Munich, with a decision from World Athletics expected next month.
Athletics Kenya, the sport’s national governing body, announced the submission with the backing of the national government. Officials described the bid as “robust” and said it presents a “compelling case” for bringing the championships to the continent for the first time. A statement noted that the government has committed to providing the organizational framework, security arrangements and modern infrastructure needed to stage a world-class event.
At the heart of Nairobi’s proposal is the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, a venue with a capacity of roughly 48,000 spectators, as the primary competition site.
This marks Kenya’s second attempt at landing the championships, after an earlier bid for the 2025 edition lost out to Tokyo. Organizers say the refreshed 2029 proposal addresses concerns raised during that prior evaluation, with upgraded facilities planned for athletes and visiting delegations.
Kenya’s case rests heavily on its athletics pedigree and track record of hosting major events. The country boasts 72 World Championship gold medals and 38 Olympic titles, along with seventeen current world records held by Kenyan athletes across track and road disciplines, including both men’s and women’s marathon records. At last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Kenya finished second in the overall medal table, claiming seven golds among eleven podium finishes.
On the organizational front, Kenya previously staged the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi in 2017, and the World U20 Championships in the capital in 2021, alongside the 2010 African Athletics Championships at Nyayo National Stadium. Nairobi also hosts the Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Gold Label meeting, reinforcing its experience running elite competitions.
London has entered the race through Athletic Ventures, proposing the London Stadium as its venue, while Rome and Munich have also formally lodged bids.
World Athletics is expected to announce the host cities for both the 2029 and 2031 championships after the Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, next month. A successful outcome would be a landmark moment not just for Kenya but for African sport broadly arriving as the country also prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
