World Athletics has announced that the bidding process for the 2029 and 2031 editions of the World Athletics Championships is now open, inviting interest from member federations and potential host institutions worldwide.
The prestigious event, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the outdoor athletics season, brings together elite athletes from across the globe, offering nations a chance to showcase their sporting prowess and organizational capacity on a monumental stage.
Interested parties must consult the official World Athletics Championships Bid Guide and submit a pre-qualification form by 1 October 2025. The guide outlines the complete bidding calendar and requirements, offering prospective hosts a clear and detailed roadmap for participation.
World Athletics is also extending an invitation to potential bidders to participate in its Observer Programme during the upcoming World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 this September. This behind-the-scenes experience offers invaluable insights into the operational and logistical demands of hosting a global athletics event, enabling future hosts to engage directly with World Athletics officials and Local Organising Committee (LOC) staff in a live event environment.
The Observer Programme lets federations learn event management best practices and gain experience before drafting their proposals. Federations wishing to be part of the programme can obtain further details from Mark Hurst, Head of Bidding at World Athletics.
After this year’s Tokyo edition, Beijing will host the 2027 World Athletics Championships before unknown cities take 2029 and 2031.
