London clinches West Ham deal for 2029 World Athletics Championships

Athletic Ventures, a joint venture of UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company, has submitted the final bid to World Athletics to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships at London Stadium. The bid, backed by the UK government, Mayor Sadiq Khan and UK Sport, includes a newly‑finalised agreement with West Ham United that guarantees the football club’s schedule will face minimal impact and allows the stadium to be used for the championships.

The partnership is expected to generate more than £400 million in economic and social benefits for London and the wider UK. West Ham, recently relegated to the Championship, will see its rent contribution fall, while the stadium, which loses about £19 million a year, is seeking to increase non‑sport events such as concerts to offset the deficit. The agreement also outlines new initiatives to improve the match‑day experience for supporters. World Athletics will announce the host city in September.