London Marathon 2027 ballot: How can I enter next year’s race?

The ballot for the 2027 London Marathon will open on Friday 24 April, 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. It represents a 36% increase year on year and nearly double the applications for the 2024 race (578,304).

The ballot for next year’s event opens at 8am (BST) on Friday and is open for one week, until 4pm (BST) on Friday 1 May. The results will be announced in early July.

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.”

Here’s everything you need to know about how to enter:

How can I enter next year’s race?

You can secure a place in the 2027 London Marathon by entering the ballot via the official website.

The ballot opens at 9am (BST) on Friday 24 April and closes at 4pm (BST) on Friday 1 May. The results are compeltely random and will be announced at the start of July.

A two-day marathon event, over the weekend of 24-25 April 2027, is being explored. 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.

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 didn’t opt to donate your entry fee when applying, you’ll need to pay the full entry fee of £79.99.

If you don’t get a place in the main ballot, you are automatically entered into a second ballot and that 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.

The London Marathon could take place over two days in 2027 (PA)

If you are unsuccessful in both ballots, you’ll receive a free hydrartion vest worth over £100, as consolation.

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.

When is the 2026 London Marathon?

The 2026 London Marathon is on Sunday 26 April.

Next yeat’s event is set for Sunday 25 April, with the potential for an additional day on Saturday 24 April, 2027.

What time does it start?

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.

The wheelchair races are the first to get underway at the London Marathon (Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

How can I watch it?

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.

What is the 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 (at least for April) 21C marathon-day peak temperature.

What is the route?

The London Marathon route (Supplied)

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 on itself and follow 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.

What is the prize money on offer?

The 2024 race was the first to offer equal prize money to the elite wheelchair races alongside their able-bodied counterparts.

The winners will receieve $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.

A full prize money breakdown can be found here.