Nairobi, Kenya, will host the 2029 World Outdoor Athletics Championships, after beating bids from London, Munich and Rome, World Athletics announced on Tuesday.

The decision makes Kenya the first African country to host the global outdoor athletics championships.

The announcement was made following a World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest. Munich, Germany, was awarded the 2031 championships, while Beijing will host the 2027 edition.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said the decision followed four strong bids for the 2029 and 2031 championships.

“Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Coe said, describing Nairobi’s bid as compelling.

He said Kenya had demonstrated that it was ready to host the event and that bringing the championships to Africa would help expand the sport’s reach across the continent.

Kenya previously bid unsuccessfully to host the 2025 World Championships. It has, however, staged several major athletics events, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships, both in Nairobi.

Nairobi also hosted the 2010 African Athletics Championships.

Renovated Kasarani Stadium

Coe said Nairobi’s experience from its previous bid helped strengthen its latest proposal. He also pointed to the ongoing renovation of Kasarani Stadium, which is being upgraded ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Athletics is woven into the fabric of Kenya,” Coe said, highlighting the country’s strong athletics tradition and fan engagement.

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya welcomed the decision, saying it affirmed Kenya’s position within the global athletics community.

“The world will come to a country where running is more than competition. It is our national story,” Mvurya said.

Coe also praised Munich’s successful bid for 2031, noting Germany’s experience in hosting major athletics events.

The three upcoming editions will take the World Athletics Championships to Asia in 2027, Africa in 2029 and Europe in 2031.