Nairobi's 2029 World Athletics Championships bid gains ground

Kenya’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi has strengthened, with government backing and major sports infrastructure projects improving its position against London, Rome and Munich. World Athletics is expected to choose the host city in September 2026.

Athletics Kenya Nairobi Branch chairman Barnaba Korir said the country’s current bid is better placed than its unsuccessful effort to host the 2025 championships. Concerns over the condition of Kasarani Stadium and Kenya’s ability to satisfy the event’s infrastructure demands weakened that earlier attempt.

Kasarani is now undergoing renovation, while construction of Talanta Sports City is adding another major venue to Nairobi’s plans. The projects are central to Kenya’s effort to show that the capital can stage a global championships requiring facilities for athletes, officials and spectators.

The bid also depends on services beyond the competition venues. Security, transport, accommodation, skilled personnel and wider logistical support will all be needed. Korir said formal backing from President William Ruto and the Kenyan government is important because the bid requires substantial public investment across those areas.

Kenya can also draw on experience from previous international athletics events. Nairobi hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships. The country’s status as one of athletics’ leading nations adds to its case for staging the senior championships for the first time.

Athletics Kenya has also developed a system for recording athletes and monitoring their progress from their early careers through to the senior level. Korir believes that organisational experience, the upgraded facilities and state support can help Nairobi compete with the three European bids when World Athletics carries out its evaluations.

A successful bid would give Kenya the opportunity to bring the sport’s biggest global championship to home soil. The decision is due in September 2026, with Nairobi seeking to turn its athletics heritage and ongoing investment into the right to host the 2029 edition.