Nairobi will host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, becoming the first African city to stage the global athletics event.
World Athletics announced the decision on Tuesday after its council meeting in Budapest. The council also selected Munich to host the 2031 edition.
Nairobi had earlier bid to host the 2025 championships. Tokyo eventually won the right to stage that edition.
However, the Kenyan capital has experience hosting major athletics events. Nairobi staged the World U18 Championships in 2017 and the World U20 Championships in 2021.
The 2029 championships will take place at Kasarani Stadium. Kenya is currently renovating the venue ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sebastian Coe, World Athletics president, praised Nairobi’s successful bid.
“Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, and taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country.”
The 2029 event will mark the first time Africa hosts the World Athletics Championships.
Munich will stage the 2031 edition at the Olympic Stadium. The championships will return to Germany for the first time since Berlin hosted the event in 2009.
Coe also praised Germany’s record of hosting major athletics events.
“Germany has proved time and again that it is an outstanding and dependable host for major athletics events,” Coe said.
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