Nairobi will become the first African city to host the World Athletics Championships after being awarded the 2029 edition of the global competition.
The championships will take place in September 2029, with Kasarani Stadium serving as the principal venue. World Athletics’ announcement on 15 September puts Kenya at the center of one of the sport’s biggest international events.
The scale of the championships makes the award significant beyond athletics. The event is expected to bring about 2,000 athletes from more than 195 countries, alongside coaches, officials, media and spectators, with 50 events contested over nine days.
For Kenya, the choice builds on an established athletics tradition. The country is one of the most successful in World Athletics Championships history and collected 11 medals, including seven golds, at the 2025 championships in Tokyo.
That interest extends well beyond elite competition. World Athletics research found that 68% of people surveyed in Kenya reported a high interest in athletics, compared with a global average of 39%.
Nairobi also has experience delivering international athletics events. Kasarani hosted the 2017 World U18 Championships, while Nairobi staged the 2021 World U20 Championships, giving organizers a strong track record of hosting major competitions.
The challenge now shifts from winning the bid to delivering it. Preparations will need to cover the stadium and training facilities, as well as accommodation, transport, security, medical services, broadcasting, and the movement of thousands of international visitors.
The tourism industry will be closely involved. International sporting events generate demand across the travel chain, from air tickets and hotel bookings to airport transfers, excursions and destination experiences.
For travel agencies and tour operators, the three-year lead time creates room to develop products specifically around the championships. Visitors attending the competition could also be encouraged to extend their stays and combine the event with safaris, coastal holidays and other experiences in Kenya.
The event therefore gives Kenya an opportunity to connect its strongest sporting identity with its wider tourism proposition. Nairobi will provide the stage for the championships, while travel businesses can potentially use the international attention to introduce visitors to destinations beyond the capital.
The 2029 edition will also represent a milestone for African athletics. While the continent has hosted other major World Athletics events, including the World Cross Country Championships in Uganda in 2017 and the World Athletics Relays in Botswana in 2026, it has never hosted the senior World Athletics Championships.
By September 2029, Nairobi will have the opportunity to change that. The immediate priority will be ensuring that the infrastructure and visitor experience match the significance of becoming the first African host.
