London will make a formal bid to stage the 2029 World Athletics Championships and, if successful, it will bring the event to Britain for the first time since 2017.
UK Sport and the Mayor of London together with Athletic Ventures – the joint venture between UK Athletics (UKA), Great Run Company and London Marathon Events – has completed a feasibility study which projects a record-breaking economic and social impact of more than £400 million through its innovative plans for the 2029 event.
The previous World Championships in London in 2017 had a sold-out stadium for every session and it’s hoped the 2029 event will be similarly successful.
The bid for the 2029 event is heavily dependent, however, on securing £45 million in government support for delivery with The Times reporting earlier this month that the quest for funding is an “uphill battle” and the bid will be “dead in the water” if not achieved.
If The Times proves to be correct, there will be shades of Picketts Lock in 2001. Back then, UKA was due to stage the World Championships in London but the Government withdrew its financial support and tried to convince the IAAF to hold the event in Sheffield before plans were abandoned entirely.
Completing the feasibility study for 2029, though, is an important step on the way to making a formal bid. In addition, UKA does have a fine record when it comes to succeeding in bids for major events.
Dame Denise Lewis, President of UKA, who was part of the team that secured the 2017 Championships bid in Monaco in 2011, says: “London 2017 showed the world what this city and this country can do. 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.”
Back in 2011, UKA put huge effort into winning the bid for 2017. Even AW got heavily involved with dozens of copies of our latest magazine being flown out to World Athletics’ headquarters in Monaco for the final bid vote with Phillips Idowu on the front cover carrying a banner urging people to back the bid.
This year’s TCS London Marathon has provided the perfect springboard for launching the 2029 bid. With an estimated 750,000 spectators and an anticipated economic impact exceeding £250 million, the marathon continues to London’s reputation for delivering world-class events.
“It’s a powerful reminder of what this city — and this country — can achieve,” said Lewis. “Global sporting events generate far more than just medals — they ignite economies, inspire communities, and shine a light on everything we have to offer as a nation.”
London Marathon (Getty)
The bid for 2029 comes as part of a wider vision to redefine how major international events are delivered in the country. At the heart of the proposal is Athletic Ventures, a pioneering new model that combines commercial backing with a strong emphasis on community engagement and long-term legacy.
“Where a traditional World Championships in London might generate around £150 million in economic value,” Lewis explained. “Athletic Ventures is aiming to nearly triple that — projecting a combined economic and social impact of more than £400 million.”
The London 2029 campaign is designed not only to deliver a successful World Championships but also to extend benefits nationwide. This weekend alone, more than 16,000 children participated in the TCS Mini London Marathon, with thousands more taking part in their schools across the UK.
Athletic Ventures believes that the timing of the bid aligns with the government’s current emphasis on economic growth and investment in infrastructure. “We’re not just planning a championship — we’re shaping a new model for delivering major events in this country,” said Lewis. “One designed to create long-term impact and lasting return.”
Denise Lewis (Mark Shearman)
Lewis, the 2000 Olympic heptathlon champion, adds: “To stand on the podium is one of the greatest honours in sport. But to do it in front of a home crowd? That’s a rare and remarkable opportunity. It’s something we want to offer to the next generation of British athletes.”
With Birmingham set to host the European Athletics Championships in 2026, Athletic Ventures sees London 2029 as the natural next step in reaffirming the UK’s leadership in world athletics.
“Athletics remains the beating heart of the Olympic Games,” said Lewis, recalling recent and historic British triumphs. “From Keely Hodgkinson’s stunning 800m gold last summer, to Super Saturday in 2012 when Jess Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford lit up the nation — these aren’t just memories, they are milestones that inspire generations.”
On receiving the necessary financial backing from the Government, Lewis adds: “Yes, these are challenging times. “But it’s precisely in moments like these that sport can lift us — economically, socially, emotionally. With the right backing, we can create a World Athletics Championships in 2029 that leaves a legacy to be proud of.”
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