London has missed out to Nairobi in the bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The decision, confirmed at a World Athletics council meeting in Budapest, means an African city will host the event for the first time. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said Nairobi had presented "a compelling and emotional bid".

The London Stadium, home of Championship club West Ham United, was the proposed host venue for the UK bid. The UK's bid was led by Athletic Ventures, consisting of UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company. Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics and co-founder of Athletic Ventures, said: "We are deeply disappointed that the 2029 World Athletics Championships will not be held in London."

Rome was the other city to miss out, as World Athletics also confirmed that Munich would host the 2031 event. Nairobi submitted a bid for the 2025 championships but missed out to Tokyo. The city's Kasarani Stadium is being renovated before the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2027, which strengthened its case as a host venue. Nairobi's bid was chosen over London's, citing Kenya's rich tradition in distance running and the historic opportunity to host Africa's first world championships.