UK Government Greenlights Bid to Bring 2029 World Athletics Championships Back to London

London 2029 World Championships Bid Gets Vital Government Support

Athletics fans across the UK can breathe a sigh of relief. After weeks of speculation and lobbying, the British government has officially confirmed its backing for London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships—bringing the sport’s most prestigious event back to the capital for the first time since the unforgettable summer of 2017.

It’s a significant moment for British athletics. For months, questions had swirled around whether the UK would step up and submit a serious bid for the 2029 edition of the Championships, especially with mounting pressure on public spending and a price tag of around £45 million. But on the heels of a sold-out Diamond League meet at the London Stadium and growing momentum within the sport, ministers have now confirmed that they will not only support the bid, but are also ready to commit substantial public funding to help make it happen.

Up to £45 Million in Public Funding for 2029 Event

Sources close to the bid have told BBC Sport that around £35 million is expected to come from central government coffers, with a further £10 million being pledged by the Mayor of London’s office. In total, that covers the £45 million the event is projected to cost—a figure that had previously raised eyebrows in Westminster.

The decision marks a significant vote of confidence not just in athletics but in the power of sport more broadly. While the government had previously unveiled a sweeping half-a-billion-pound plan to invest in major sporting events across the UK, the 2029 World Athletics Championships were notably absent from the announcements. That omission had sparked concern within the athletics community—until now.

Prime Minister Starmer: “A Moment of Great National Pride”

Speaking publicly after the announcement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed strong personal support for the London 2029 World Championships bid.

“Bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK would be a moment of great national pride,” Starmer said. “It builds on our global reputation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase the very best talent.”

He added that the Championships would provide not just a platform for elite competition, but a broader impact as well—boosting UK businesses, supporting jobs, and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

And if the 2017 Championships in London are anything to go by, the rewards could be immense. That event drew massive crowds to the London Stadium and generated an estimated £100 million in economic impact. The 2029 edition is projected to quadruple that figure, potentially pumping as much as £400 million into the UK economy.

Para Athletics Bid Also Gets Green Light

The government also confirmed its support for a UK bid to host the 2029 World Para Athletics Championships in the same year. Unlike the main event, this one won’t be held in London. Instead, ministers have pledged to take the Championships “beyond the capital,” with the host city to be announced at a later date.

This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to distribute the benefits of international sporting events more evenly across the country—a trend that’s been gaining traction in recent years.

A Long-Awaited Return to the London Stadium

If successful, the 2029 World Athletics Championships would return to the London Stadium for the first time since 2017. Back then, the venue delivered one of the most memorable atmospheres in the history of the sport, with massive home crowds turning out to watch stars like Mo Farah, Usain Bolt, and Katarina Johnson-Thompson in action.

The stadium once again proved its draw just this past weekend, when 60,000 fans packed into the Diamond League meeting, making it the biggest one-day athletics crowd in the world this year.

That kind of support could prove vital in securing the 2029 bid. Athletics legend and BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram, who was one of the public faces of the campaign, made it clear how significant this backing is.

Steve Cram: “London Has Got a Good Chance of Winning It”

“I think it would be huge and I’m so pleased that this has happened,” Cram said. “There has been a little bit of angst as to whether the government were going to back the bid, and the clock was ticking.”

He noted that the London Stadium was built with major championships in mind and that, despite not being used every year for such events, it’s time for the venue to reclaim the spotlight.

“Athletics needs venues where you put 60,000 people in for each session—and we know London can do that. So we’ve got a great chance with the government backing,” he added.

And timing could be on London’s side too. “It’s kind of due to come back to Europe,” Cram noted. “London—which is very accessible for the whole of Europe—has got a good chance of winning it.”

Josh Kerr: “London 2017 Lit a Fire in Me”

The current generation of British stars are just as excited. 1500m world champion and Olympic medallist Josh Kerr, who was only just breaking into the senior ranks during the 2017 edition, says he’s fully behind the new bid.

“London 2017 was my first senior World Championships and it lit a fire in me,” said Kerr. “I’m proud to support the bid and hope we get the chance to show the world what we can do on home soil.”

UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner echoed that sentiment, pointing to Britain’s recent success on the world stage and a resurgence in grassroots participation.

“After superb medal hauls over the last few years on the world, Olympic and Paralympic stage, athletics in the UK is on an upward trajectory,” said Buckner. “This support will drive the sport on to new heights.”

What Happens Next?

With the government now formally on board, the bid process will ramp up over the coming months as UK Athletics, UK Sport, and other partners put together the official proposal to World Athletics.

No official date has been set for when the host city will be confirmed, but bids typically need to be submitted at least three years ahead of the event. That means the decision could come sometime in 2026—giving London a solid runway to prepare if it wins.

One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a win for London. It’s a win for British athletics as a whole. A reminder that when government, sport, and public enthusiasm align, the UK still knows how to deliver on the world stage.