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As the world ushers in the new year, 2025 will witness a number of sports events that are of interest to Kenyans and beyond. So, what are some of the key events to look forward to?
The new year is finally here and in the world of sports, there are a number of key events to look forward to in 2025.
Some of them will involve Kenyan athletes while others will be of interest to Kenyans given their big profile.
So, as we begin 2025, which are the top sports events to look forward to?
CHAN 2024
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The African Nations Championships (CHAN) will be among the first major events of the year with the delayed 2024 tournament taking place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1-28.
Kenya is still in a race against time to have infrastructure ready but the draw for the tournament will have reigning champions Morocco, Senegal, Guinea, Zambia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Mauritania, Niger, Congo, Angola, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic and DR Congo as well as the three host countries.
The tournament, played only by players featuring in African leagues, will take place at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium (60,000) in Tanzania, Namboole Stadium (45,000) in Uganda, Nyayo National Stadium (18,000) and Kasarani Stadium (55,000), both in Kenya, and Amaan Stadium (20,000) in Zanzibar.
World Indoor Championships
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The 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships will take place in Nanjing, China from March 21-23 with some of the world's best athletes competing for global honours in what will be the 20th edition of the event.
American athletes dominated the 2024 events with the likes of Christian Coleman and Grant Holloway winning their events while others such as Julien Alfred and Tsige Duguma sprung to prominence and more will be expected this year while some big names hope to assert their authority.
AFCON U20
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Kenyans will then shift their attention to a junior tournament when the Africa U20 Cup of Nations takes place in Cote d'Ivoire from April 26 to May 25.
Kenya will be among the participating countries after Salim Babu’s team sealed their ticket from the CECAFA qualifiers last year.
There is great hope in the Kenyan team as it is seen as the future of the country especially ahead of the senior AFCON at home in 2027.
WAFCON 2024
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Another delayed tournament that will be played in 2025 is the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) which will also be held in Morocco from July 5 to 26.
The tournament was to be held in 2024 but failed to take place owing to a congested calendar and is now primed for this year as holders South Africa seek to defend their title while record winners Nigeria look to bounce back after finishing fourth in 2022.
Kenya, who last featured at WAFCON in 2016, will miss out again but East Africa will be represented by Tanzania.
FIFA Club World Cup
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The expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13 and will be staged across 12 stadiums with 63 matches on show.
Europe has the biggest representation with 12, such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, six from South America, and four each from Africa, Asia and CONCACAF (North and Central America, Caribbean).
Oceania will provide one team, while the United States as host nation has an additional slot, having been given to Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami.
Africa’s representatives are 12-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt, Moroccan giants Wydad AC, Esperance of Tunisia and South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
World Athletics Championships
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Track and field fans will shift their attention to the Japanese capital of Tokyo when the 2025 World Athletics Championships takes centre stage from September 13-21.
More than 2000 athletes from some 200 countries will come to Tokyo to take part in one of the world's biggest sporting events.
Tokyo will host the event for the second time and for the first time since 1991 and big names like Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson will be seeking to defend their crowns while the likes of Julien Alfred and Gabby Thomas aim for a maiden world title.
Africa Cup of Nations
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Football lovers will end the year in fantastic fashion as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations takes place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
It will be a rare festive treat, spilling into the new year, and it will showcase the best national teams from across the continent in the highly anticipated competition.
Ivory Coast are the defending champions but the likes of Morocco, Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal will be looking to return to the winner’s podium while South Africa, DR Congo and Mali are among the dark horses.
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