Nairobi Confirmed as First African Host of World Athletics Championships
Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Kenya's capital the first African city to stage the event. World Athletics announced the decision on 15 September 2026 following its council meeting in Budapest, with the 2031 edition simultaneously awarded to Munich. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described the selection as historic, noting that "the sport is woven into the fabric of the country." Events will be held at Kasarani Stadium, which is currently being renovated ahead of its role hosting matches at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for sports tourism on the continent. Nairobi previously hosted the World U18 Championships in 2017 and the World U20 Championships in 2021, and had earlier bid unsuccessfully for the 2025 edition, which went to Tokyo. The championships are scheduled for September 2029, in line with the 2027 edition in Beijing. The event is expected to draw significant international visitor numbers to Kenya, reinforcing Nairobi's growing profile as a major destination for global sporting events.
Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA®, said:
“On behalf of the African Travel and Tourism Association, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kenya and its sporting team for winning the bid to host the World Athletics Championship in 2029.
“The victory, against some extremely tough opponents, marks a truly historic moment for Kenya and the African continent as the World Athletics Championships come to Africa for the first time - and tells the world that Kenya and its dramatic mountainous terrain has been the birthplace to the some of the world’s greatest athletes.
“Bringing one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events to Nairobi is a wonderful opportunity to showcase that heritage, while welcoming athletes, spectators and visitors from across the globe to experience Kenya for themselves.
This is another step in Africa hosting major, world class sporting events. Next month, the continent hosts the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. In 2027 the Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia and the North African country of Morocco will co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 with Spain and Portugal.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in the successful bid. We look forward to celebrating the World Athletics Championships at Nairobi’s iconic Kasarani Stadium in 2029.”
Source: Reuters
