London loses bid to host 2029 World Athletics as Nairobi named host

London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships was rejected in favor of Nairobi, marking the first time an African city will stage the premier track‑and‑field event. The decision was announced by World Athletics at its council meeting in Budapest, where President Sebastian Coe praised Nairobi’s “compelling and emotional” proposal and highlighted the organization’s strategy of rotating the championships across Asia, Africa and Europe over the next three editions. London had put forward the London Stadium – the former Olympic venue that also hosts West Ham United, the annual Diamond League and the 2017 World Championships – through a consortium called Athletic Ventures, comprising UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company. The UK bid was led by Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics, who expressed deep disappointment while thanking government bodies, the mayor and sport partners for their support. Nairobi’s successful bid will see the 2029 championships held at the renovated Kasarani Stadium, while Munich was confirmed as the host for the 2031 edition.

The Nairobi bid was bolstered by several concrete advantages that helped it edge out London and Rome. Kenya’s recent athletic success – finishing second on the medal table at the 2025 championships with seven golds – demonstrated the nation’s competitive pedigree, and the ongoing refurbishment of Kasarani Stadium for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations provided a ready‑made, world‑class venue. The Kenyan consortium secured £45 million in public funding and argued that the event could replicate the commercial success of the 2017 London championships. In contrast, London’s bid faced lingering uncertainty over stadium access, with permission from West Ham United only granted shortly before the submission deadline, and concerns about low attendance at recent domestic events, such as the near‑empty Alexander Stadium during the European Athletics Championships. While Coe declined to comment on whether these factors influenced the vote, he emphasized Kenya’s rich distance‑running heritage and the historic significance of bringing the championships to Africa.

The outcome has sparked mixed reactions among British athletes and officials, underscoring both disappointment and a broader view of the sport’s global growth. World indoor 400 m champion Amber Anning, who attended the 2017 championships in London, lamented missing a home event but welcomed the chance for Africa to host a “really special” championship that could inspire a new generation. Former Olympic long‑jump champion Greg Rutherford described the loss as a “bitter pill to swallow,” yet praised Nairobi’s bid and called for change in how events are allocated. The decision arrives as Britain continues to pursue other major sporting projects, including the 2027 Grand Départ of the Tour de France, the 2028 men’s European football championship and a potential 2035 Women’s World Cup, while also contemplating an Olympic bid for 2040. Nairobi’s selection, however, will place the spotlight on Kenya’s recent doping scandals, prompting scrutiny over its suitability as a host, even as the nation prepares to showcase its athletic legacy on the world stage.

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