Munich is a sports city: it’s home to two of Germany’s top teams—FC Bayern Munich and the Red Bull EHC. People still rave about the 1972 Olympic Games, and the NFL has also become a welcome guest here. By hosting the 2031 World Athletics Championships, the city on the Isar is now securing another sporting milestone.
The third World Championships in Germany
Since 1983, the World Athletics Federation has organized the World Championships, which have been held every two years since the early 1990s. The World Championships are considered the fifth-largest sporting event in the world, and Germany has had the honor of hosting them twice so far. Stuttgart hosted the event in 1993, and Berlin in 2009. Munich is now bringing the World Athletics Championships to Germany for a third time and to Bavaria for the first time. The Bavarian capital had previously applied to host the event in either 2029 or 2031 and has now been awarded the 2031 edition.
In 2029, the championships will take place in Nairobi, marking their debut in Africa. London and Rome were two strong contenders in the running, but Munich and Nairobi prevailed and were awarded the bid. The federation announced its decision at the end of its meeting in Budapest.
2031 World Athletics Championships at the renovated Olympic Stadium
Renovations are currently underway at the Olympic Stadium, which will then shine in new splendor in time for the 2031 World Athletics Championships. In general, the hosting of the championships is to rely primarily on the existing infrastructure of the Olympic Park. Nevertheless, the city estimates costs of 110 million euros for the 2031 World Athletics Championships. There will be a total of nine competition days, in which approximately 2,200 athletes from 195 countries will participate . They will compete in various disciplines across 50 events.
According to Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, Germany is “an outstanding and reliable host for major track and field events,” and the Olympic Stadium in Munich is one of the “most iconic venues in world sports.” Therefore, the Bavarian capital is the perfect choice to host the 2031 World Track and Field Championships.
