London to bid for 2029 World Athletics Championships
The city hasn't hosted the championships since 2017, when every session saw sold-out stadiums
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Kevin Morris
On Sunday, the U.K. track and field governing bodies announced their bid to bring the 2029 World Athletics Championships back to London. The announcement follows the recent success of the 2025 London Marathon, which, with its 56,640 finishers, set a new world record for the largest number of marathon finishers, surpassing the 2024 New York City Marathon.
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The last world championships in London, held in 2017, saw sold-out sessions throughout the event.
“London 2017 showed the world what this city and this country can do,” said U.K. Athletics president Dame Denise Lewis. “It was an incredible example of how we can unite behind a vision–full stadiums, global energy, and a lasting impact. I was proud to help bring that event to life, and I know we can do it again in 2029.” The 2026 European Athletics Championships are already set for Birmingham.
A projected impact exceeding £400 million
Athletic Ventures–a collaboration between U.K. Athletics, Great Run Company and London Marathon Events–projects social and economic impact exceeding £400 million (C$743 million). According to Lewis, this projected impact is nearly triple that of a “traditional” world championships in London.
In September, a formal bid will be submitted to World Athletics, pending £45 million in government funding to support the event’s delivery.
If the bid is successful, top athletes like Keely Hodgkinson, Georgia Bell, Dina Asher-Smith, Zharnel Hughes and Jake Wightman could contend for podium spots before a home crowd.
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