The ballot for the 2027 London Marathon will open on Friday 24 April 2026, ahead of this year's race taking place on Sunday. An incredible 1,133,813 people entered the ballot for this year's marathon, a new world record, shattering last year's total of 840,318. This represents a 36% increase year on year and nearly double the applications for the 2024 race, which stood at 578,304.
How to Enter the Ballot
The ballot for next year's event opens at 8am (BST) on Friday 24 April and is open for one week, until 4pm (BST) on Friday 1 May. The results will be announced in early July. You can secure a place in the 2027 London Marathon by entering the ballot via the official website. The results are completely random and will be announced at the start of July.
Potential Two-Day Event
There is the prospect that next year's event could take place over two days. As it stands, the race will take place on Sunday 25 April 2027. However, there could be a one-off two-day event, taking place on Saturday 24 April 2027, as well. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, said: "Entering the 2027 TCS London Marathon ballot could be the first step towards becoming part of something truly life changing." Should permission be granted for an event on the Saturday as well as the usual Sunday, applicants will be entered for both days, significantly increasing their chances of success.
Entry Fees and Payment
The cost of a place in the London Marathon for successful UK participants is £79.99. You do not have to pay your entry fee at the ballot, but UK residents can opt to donate their entry fee to the London Marathon Foundation no matter the outcome of the ballot. You will receive a confirmation email when you apply and you'll also receive a payment receipt, if you have donated your entry fee. The results of the ballot will be emailed to all entrants in July. Your entry fee, should you get a place through the ballot, is reduced from £79.99 to £49.99. If you live in the UK and did not opt to donate your entry fee when applying, you will need to pay the full entry fee of £79.99.
Second Ballot and Consolation
If you do not get a place in the main ballot, you are automatically entered into a second ballot, which will at least double the chance of getting a place through that second draw. If you are successful in either ballot, your entry is prepaid and confirmed. If you are unsuccessful in both ballots, you will receive a free hydration vest worth over £100 as consolation.
Alternative Options
The ballot is performed at random, while alternative options include applying for a charity place while you wait for the results of the ballot. If you end up gaining a ballot place and a charity place, you can return your place to the charity and still raise funds for them as an own-place runner.
2026 London Marathon Details
The 2026 London Marathon is on Sunday 26 April. Next year's event is set for Sunday 25 April, with the potential for an additional day on Saturday 24 April 2027.
Start Times
- 8.50am – Elite wheelchair men's and women's races
- 9.05am – Elite women's race
- 9.35am – Elite men's race followed by mass start
How to Watch
Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the London Marathon live on the BBC, with extensive television coverage and online streaming available via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
Weather Forecast
Sunny temperatures are expected on Sunday, around 15C, with a gentle breeze, with conditions expected to be cooler than last year's toasty 21C marathon-day peak temperature.
Route
The London Marathon tends to follow a largely unchanged route since it was first run in 1981. Covering 26.2 miles, the course begins in Greenwich, dropping down from the high point of the race to follow a largely flat course, first heading east to Woolwich before doubling back and following the Thames to Bermondsey. From there, the runners cut across London Bridge and turn right to take in Canary Wharf and London's old Docklands, before a U-turn to track through central London, running along the Embankment until another right turn at Westminster Bridge towards St James's Park. The route takes in many famous London landmarks, from the Cutty Sark (mile six), Tower Bridge (mile 12), the Tower of London (mile 22), the London Eye and Big Ben (both mile 25) before its iconic finish line on The Mall near Buckingham Palace.
Prize Money
The 2024 race was the first to offer equal prize money to the elite wheelchair races alongside their able-bodied counterparts. The winners will receive $55,000 (£40,700) each, the runner-up $30,000 (£22,200) and third-place $22,500 (£16,665). There are also $150,000 (£111,000) bonuses on offer for running sub-2:02 for the men and sub-2:15 for the women, $125,000 (£92,600) for setting a new world record, and $25,000 (£18,500) up for grabs in the elite men's and women's races for a new course record.
