Kenya is seeking to make Nairobi the first African city to host the sport’s flagship global championships.

Nairobi, Kenya (Running Africa) — Nairobi has formally entered the race to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, as Kenya seeks to bring the sport’s premier global competition to Africa for the first time.

The bid, backed by the Kenyan government, builds on the country’s long-standing athletics tradition and growing experience hosting major international competitions. If successful, Nairobi would become the first African city to host the senior World Athletics Championships, marking a landmark moment for the continent.

Kenya will face strong competition from several major European cities as World Athletics prepares to select the 2029 host later this year.

Kenya Builds Bid on Major Athletics Experience

Nairobi has established itself as one of Africa’s leading destinations for international athletics events.

The Kenyan capital successfully hosted the 2017 and 2021 World Athletics Under-18 and Under-20 Championships, demonstrating its ability to stage large-scale global competitions.

Kenya also hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, while Nairobi regularly welcomes elite international athletes for the Kip Keino Classic, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series.

Officials hope that experience, combined with strong government support and Kenya’s global reputation in athletics, will strengthen Nairobi’s case for 2029.

Nairobi Faces London, Rome, and Munich Competition

Nairobi is expected to face stiff competition from London, Rome, and Munich for the hosting rights.

London formally submitted its bid last week, joining what is shaping up to be a competitive race to stage one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

The final decision is expected to be announced by World Athletics in September, following the Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

Historic Opportunity for African Athletics

Despite Africa’s extraordinary influence on global athletics, particularly in middle- and long-distance running, the continent has never hosted the senior outdoor World Athletics Championships.

African athletes have dominated some of the sport’s most prestigious events for decades, with Kenya producing generations of Olympic champions, world champions, and record-breaking runners.

Bringing the championships to Nairobi would therefore represent more than a major sporting event. It would mark a significant shift in the global geography of athletics and provide African fans with a rare opportunity to experience the sport’s biggest stars competing on the continent.

Kenya Targets a Global Sporting Milestone

A successful bid would further strengthen Kenya’s position as a major destination for international sport while potentially accelerating investment in athletics infrastructure, tourism, and the country’s wider sports economy.

For a nation whose athletes have helped shape the history of global track and field, hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships would represent a defining achievement and a historic first for Africa.