NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has formally entered the race to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, seeking to become the first African country to stage the global track and field showcase.
Athletics Kenya said it has submitted a “robust” bid backed by the national government, with Nairobi competing against London, Rome and Munich for the right to host the championships.
World Athletics is expected to announce the successful host next month.
Athletics Kenya said government support would provide the organisational framework, security arrangements and infrastructure required to deliver a major international sporting event.
“The government has committed its full support to the bid, ensuring the necessary organisational framework, security measures and modern infrastructure required to host a world-class global showpiece,” Athletics Kenya said.
Kasarani proposed as main venue
If Kenya wins the bid, Kasarani Stadium is expected to serve as the main competition venue. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 48,000 spectators and has hosted major national and international sporting events.
The proposed bid would build on Kenya’s long association with athletics, particularly its dominance in middle- and long-distance running.
Kenyan athletes have won 72 World Championships and 38 Olympic gold medals, while athletes from the country currently hold 17 world records across track and road events, including the men’s and women’s marathon.
Kenya also finished second on the medal table at the most recent World Championships, winning seven gold medals among its 11 podium finishes.
Kenya’s growing record of hosting events
The country has increasingly positioned itself as a host for major international athletics competitions.
Kenya staged the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships, also in Nairobi.
Nairobi hosted the 2010 African Athletics Championships at Nyayo National Stadium, adding to the country’s experience in managing international athletics events.
A successful 2029 bid would therefore represent an expansion of Kenya’s hosting ambitions from junior and continental competitions to the sport’s premier global championship.
Kenya previously bid unsuccessfully to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which were ultimately awarded to Tokyo.
Competition for the 2029 championships
Kenya faces strong competition from established European sporting capitals.
London, which hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2017, is among the rival bidders, alongside Rome and Munich.
For Nairobi, winning the rights would provide an opportunity to showcase Kenya’s sporting heritage while positioning the country as a major destination for international athletics and sports tourism.
The bid also comes as Kenya prepares for another major continental sporting assignment. Nairobi, together with Tanzania and Uganda, is scheduled to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, further increasing the country’s international sporting profile.
Push for a historic African championship
An African country has yet to host the senior World Athletics Championships, making Kenya’s bid significant beyond the country’s own sporting ambitions.
Botswana recently became the first African nation to host the World Athletics Relays, staging the event in Gaborone in May.
Kenya’s proposed hosting of the 2029 championships would go several steps further, bringing the full World Athletics Championships to the continent for the first time.
A successful bid would also provide Kenya with an opportunity to leverage its athletics reputation, existing sporting infrastructure and experience in hosting international competitions to deliver an event on the global stage.
