Kenya has officially submitted a bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, seeking to become the first African country to stage this global event.
The bid, submitted on August 10, 2026, puts Nairobi in competition with London, Rome and Munich. World Athletics is expected to announce the successful host city next month.
Athletics Kenya said the bid has the full backing of the government, including commitments to security, infrastructure and the organizational requirements for hosting the Championships. The 48,000-seat Kasarani Stadium is expected to serve as the main venue if Nairobi wins the hosting rights.
Kenya has a strong athletics tradition, particularly in middle-and long-distance running. The country has won 72 World Championships and 38 Olympic gold medals, while Kenyan athletes currently hold 17 world records across track and road events. Kenya finished second on the medal table at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, winning seven gold medals among 11 podium finishes.
The country has previously hosted several major athletics events, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World U20 Championships in Nairobi.
Nairobi also hosted the 2010 African Athletics Championships at Nyayo National Stadium. Kenya previously failed in its bid to host the 2025 World Championships, but securing the 2029 edition would mark a major milestone for African athletics and Kenya’s ambitions on the international sporting stage.
Kenya is also set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Tanzania and Uganda. In May 2026, Botswana became the first African country to host the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.
