The decision was announced on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during a World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, Hungary, where host cities for upcoming editions of the championships were confirmed.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the decision was not easy, given the strong bids from other countries seeking to host the prestigious competition.
“This decision reinforces our commitment to taking our global championships to different continents, including Asia, Africa and Europe. Nairobi and Munich presented strong bids and demonstrated how hosting the championships can help advance the sport. I look forward to working with both cities to deliver successful events,” Coe said.
Nairobi will host the 2029 edition, while Munich, Germany, has been selected to host the 2031 World Athletics Championships.
The selection makes Nairobi the first African city to host the senior World Athletics Championships, a major milestone for athletics on the continent.
Kenya has previously hosted major World Athletics events. Nairobi hosted the World Athletics U18 Championships in 2021, as well as other international athletics competitions.
The 2029 championships are expected to provide a major platform for African athletes and further strengthen the continent’s position in global athletics.
