London submits final bid to host 2029 World Athletics Championships
London submitted its final bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships on 6 August 2026, Athletic Ventures said, after sending the final documents to World Athletics.
Athletic Ventures — a body made up of UK Athletics, London Marathon Events, and the Great Run Company — is driving the move to bring the biennial championships to the capital. The proposed venue is London Stadium, which was built at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and has been used for the London Diamond League meeting for the past four years. London previously hosted the World Championship in 2017, and Birmingham will host the European Championships this August. The host city for the 2029 edition will be confirmed in September.
A feasibility study carried out prior to April 2025, when London's intention to bid was announced, estimated the competition could deliver a £400m benefit to the economy. The UK government confirmed its support for the bid in July 2025. Those steps formed part of the groundwork cited by the bid group in advancing to the final submission stage.
UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner said: "Bidding to hold the World Athletics Championships in the London Stadium, the showpiece of London 2012, was always at the centre of the UK's Olympic legacy plans. "We are very grateful to the government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London, and UK sport for their fantastic support for this bid. "We're delighted that we have reached agreement with the London Stadium and West Ham United for the use of the London Stadium and our sincere thanks for their commitment in making this happen."
Great Run Company CEO Paul Foster hailed London as "the world's number one sporting city". The bid group has highlighted the city's existing event infrastructure and legacy venues as central to its proposal.
Championship football team West Ham United, who play their home games at the London Stadium, have also offered their support for the bid. In a statement, West Ham confirmed they are working with London Stadium LLP and Athletics Ventures to support the delivery of the Championships, with a "number of new initiatives that will enhance the stadium and matchday experience for supporters" forming part of the agreement. The potential impact on their 2029-30 campaign if London's bid is successful is yet to be confirmed.
The bid team has lodged its final documentation with World Athletics and awaits the decision process; the host city for the 2029 edition will be confirmed in September. If selected, the London Stadium is the proposed site for the championships.