India is set to make a strong push to host either the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championships, with the formal bidding process commencing later in 2025. Adille Sumariwalla, a Vice-President of World Athletics and a spokesperson for the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), announced on Sunday, July 6, 2025, that the nation will strategically bid for both editions, expressing confidence in securing the hosting rights for one of them.
World Athletics, the sport's global governing body, is scheduled to declare the hosts for both the 2029 and 2031 championships in September 2026. Member countries have until October 1, 2025, to express their interest. The deadline for the initial bid application is April 1, 2026, with the final application needing to be submitted by August 5, 2026. The World Athletics Council will then deliberate before revealing the chosen host cities.
Sumariwalla emphasized the strategic nature of bidding for both the 2029 and 2031 events, stating that India would be happy to host either edition. This approach may be influenced by the fact that Asia is already slated to host the 2025 and 2027 World Athletics Championships, in Tokyo and Beijing, respectively. Awarding the 2029 edition to India would mean Asia hosting the event three times in a row, potentially making the 2031 bid more appealing.
The AFI's decision to bid for these high-profile events aligns with India's broader aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics. Hosting the World Athletics Championships would not only elevate the sport's profile in India but also serve as a crucial stepping stone in demonstrating the nation's capability to manage large-scale international sporting competitions.
India has been steadily increasing its involvement in hosting major athletic events. In recent years, the country has successfully organized events such as the 2004 Asian Cross Country Championships, the 2003 Afro-Asian Games, the 2004 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, the 2007 Military World Games, the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, and the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Recently, India hosted the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Level event in Bengaluru.
Furthermore, India is scheduled to host the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi in September-October 2025. The country will also host its first-ever Continental Tour bronze meet in Bhubaneswar on August 10, 2025. These events provide Indian athletes with valuable opportunities to compete on home soil and gain international exposure.
India's commitment to developing athletics is evident at the national level, with major competitions like the Indian National Open Athletics Championships, the Indian Inter State Senior Athletics Championships, and the National Games of India. These events, along with initiatives to host international competitions, highlight India's growing prominence in the world of athletics.
