If you are searching for London Marathon tickets, you are usually looking for an official race entry rather than a conventional event ticket. For the 2027 TCS London Marathon, the public ballot has already closed, but charity places, qualifying-time routes, approved international tour operators, and the virtual MyWay event provide other ways to take part.
Quick Answer
The 2027 TCS London Marathon takes place across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April. The public ballot is closed. Current alternatives include charity places, Good For Age and Championship applications for eligible runners, approved international tour operators, and the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. Dates and figures were verified against official sources.
Key Takeaways
- The 2027 event is a special one-off two-day London Marathon with 100,000 participants across the weekend.
- Ballot results were issued on 9 July 2026, and the deadline for successful entrants to confirm their details has passed.
- Good For Age applications are open to eligible UK residents until 16:00 GMT on 29 October 2026.
- Championship applications are open until 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026 for runners who meet the qualifying and membership rules.
- London Marathon entries cannot be sold, swapped, or transferred to another runner.
How London Marathon Tickets and Entry Work
The London Marathon does not use ordinary admission tickets for runners. You need an official entry obtained through one of the event’s approved entry routes.
The official 2027 TCS London Marathon event page confirms that the race will take place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. This is a one-off two-day edition, with 100,000 runners expected across the weekend.
The marathon distance remains 26.2 miles, with the course running from Greenwich to Westminster. The London Marathon was first held in 1981 and has developed into a major international race with elite competitors, recreational runners, charity fundraisers, and large crowds along the route.
If you already have a confirmed 2027 entry, your allocated day matters. An in-person participant may run the mass event on only the day assigned to that entry.
2027 London Marathon Registration Status
The general public ballot for the 2027 race is finished. Ballot results were sent on 9 July 2026, and successful applicants had until 16:00 BST on 31 July to confirm their details.
The official London Marathon ballot page now directs runners who missed out toward charity entry, Good For Age entry, or the virtual marathon.
| Entry route | Status on October 1, 2026 | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Public ballot | Closed and drawn | Runners who applied during the April-May 2026 ballot window |
| Charity entry | Limited places still advertised | Runners willing to fundraise for a participating charity |
| Good For Age | Applications open until 29 October 2026 | UK residents with qualifying marathon times |
| Championship | Applications open until 20 October 2026 | Fast runners who meet the UK Athletics membership and time requirements |
| International tour operator | Available through approved operators in supported territories | Runners who live outside the UK |
| TCS London Marathon MyWay | Open | People who want to complete 26.2 miles remotely |
London Marathon Entry Methods
There is no single way to buy London Marathon tickets after entries open. Each route has its own eligibility rules, deadlines, and availability.
For 2027, the main routes are the public ballot, charity entry, Good For Age, Championship entry, British Athletics club places, international tour operators, disability entry routes, and the virtual MyWay event. Which option is realistic for you depends mainly on where you live, your qualifying times, and whether you are willing to fundraise.
Charity Places for the 2027 London Marathon
A charity place can still provide a route into the 2027 race after the public ballot. You apply to a charity that holds London Marathon entries rather than buying a place directly from another runner.
Each charity decides how it allocates its places. Some use application forms and select runners based on their connection with the cause, fundraising plans, or other criteria.
Fundraising requirements also vary. London Marathon Events does not set one universal minimum fundraising amount for charity runners; the individual charity sets and manages its own target.
Before accepting a charity place, confirm the fundraising commitment, any registration payment, the day of the 2027 Double attached to the place, and the charity’s own withdrawal or fundraising conditions.
Because charity availability changes as places are allocated, apply as early as possible if this is your preferred route.
Good For Age Entry for 2027
Good For Age is a performance-based route for UK residents who have achieved the required marathon time. For 2027, applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 16:00 GMT on 29 October 2026.
The 2027 Good For Age rules provide 6,000 places: 3,000 for men and 3,000 for women. Meeting the qualifying standard makes you eligible to apply but does not guarantee entry. Places are allocated fastest-first relative to age and the qualifying time.
Your qualifying marathon must have been completed between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026 on an eligible certified course. The men’s Good For Age race is scheduled for Saturday 24 April 2027, while the women’s race is on Sunday 25 April.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 18-39 | Sub 3:38 | Sub 2:52 |
| 40-44 | Sub 3:43 | Sub 2:57 |
| 45-49 | Sub 3:46 | Sub 3:02 |
| 50-54 | Sub 3:53 | Sub 3:07 |
| 55-59 | Sub 3:58 | Sub 3:12 |
| 60-64 | Sub 4:23 | Sub 3:34 |
| 65-69 | Sub 4:53 | Sub 3:52 |
| 70-74 | Sub 5:53 | Sub 4:52 |
| 75-79 | Sub 6:13 | Sub 5:07 |
| 80-84 | Sub 6:38 | Sub 5:27 |
| 85-89 | Sub 7:10 | Sub 6:10 |
| 90+ | Sub 7:45 | Sub 7:20 |
Championship Entry for 2027
Championship entry is another qualifying-time route, but its standards are faster and applicants must meet UK Athletics membership requirements. Applications run from 1 October until 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026.
The official Championship entry criteria cap the field at 1,200 places, split between 600 men and 600 women. If applications exceed that number, selection is fastest-first.
| Qualifying distance | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon | Sub 2:38:00 | Sub 3:10:00 |
| Half marathon | Sub 1:11:30 | Sub 1:26:00 |
The qualifying performance must have been achieved between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026 on an eligible certified course. Applicants must also be registered members of an athletics body associated with UK Athletics.
Non-UK residents may apply for Championship entry if they meet the UK Athletics membership requirement. Half-marathon times have additional eligibility conditions, so runners using that route should read the official criteria carefully before applying.
Overseas and International Entry
International runners have an additional route through approved tour operators. These companies can offer guaranteed London Marathon entry as part of travel packages in the territories they serve.
The official international participant directory lists authorised operators by country and region. Packages may combine the race place with accommodation and other travel services, so the total cost depends on the operator and package rather than one universal price.
International runners who entered the 2027 public ballot and were successful were charged a £275 international entry fee, including the event’s stated carbon-offset fee for international travel. That figure applies to the ballot route and should not be treated as the price of an international tour package.
If you are travelling from another country, secure a legitimate entry before making non-refundable race-specific bookings. An approved tour operator place is different from buying a bib from another individual.
Public Ballot
The public ballot is the main random-draw entry route, but the 2027 ballot is already complete. It opened from 24 April to 1 May 2026, and results were sent on 9 July.
A record 1,338,544 people applied for the 2027 ballot. Successful entrants were automatically allocated to either Saturday 24 April or Sunday 25 April as part of the new two-day format.
The standard 2027 UK ballot entry fee was £79.99 for successful applicants who had not used the event’s optional prepaid “double your chances” route. International ballot entrants paid £275.
Entering the ballot never guaranteed a place because selection was random. If you did not enter, were unsuccessful, or failed to confirm a successful place by the deadline, the ballot is no longer an available route for 2027.
Running Clubs and British Athletics Entries
British Athletics-affiliated clubs can receive marathon places, but the 2027 allocation details were not yet published on October 1, 2026. The official page still displays the previous year’s criteria for reference.
The British Athletics club entry page says 2027 information will be released in the autumn. Because those rules may change, runners should not assume that the 2026 membership thresholds or allocation numbers will apply unchanged to 2027.
If you belong to an affiliated club, ask the club secretary or entry coordinator how it will allocate any places it receives. Clubs commonly have their own internal selection process after London Marathon Events confirms the allocation.
Can You Get a Last-Minute London Marathon Entry?
There is no general last-minute marketplace where you can legally buy another runner’s London Marathon entry. Official entries are personal and cannot be sold, swapped, or transferred.
The London Marathon Conditions of Entry state that a runner must not sell, swap, transfer, or allow another person to use the event number. Breaking that rule can void the entry and may affect eligibility for future events.
Warning: Do not buy a bib or race place from an individual, resale listing, or unofficial marketplace. London Marathon entries are personal and non-transferable.
If you missed the ballot, a legitimate charity place or an approved international tour operator is a safer route while availability remains. Eligible runners can also apply through Good For Age or Championship entry within their published deadlines.
Virtual London Marathon MyWay Entry
The TCS London Marathon MyWay is an official alternative if you cannot secure an in-person London Marathon ticket. You complete the same 26.2-mile distance outdoors wherever you choose during the permitted event-day period.
The 2027 MyWay event allows participants to choose Saturday 24 April or Sunday 25 April 2027. Each day’s qualifying period runs from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59.
The published entry fee is £40 for UK participants and £55 for international participants. The distance must be completed outdoors and cannot be completed on a treadmill.
MyWay is separate from an in-person race place. For 2027, someone with an in-person place may complete the physical marathon on one day and register separately for MyWay on the other.
What Happens After You Secure a Place?
Getting an entry is only the first administrative step. Every in-person participant also needs the official Event Pack containing the race number and timing device.
London Marathon Events says participants must collect their pack from the TCS London Marathon Running Show at ExCeL London before the race. The 2027 Running Show page says its opening times will be confirmed in the new year.
If you cannot attend personally, the organiser allows a nominated person to collect the pack under its published identification and authorisation procedure. Packs cannot simply be collected on Marathon Day.
Pro Tip: Do not book travel around the race until you know exactly which 2027 event day your confirmed entry is assigned to. Saturday and Sunday are separate allocated race days.
Do Spectators Need London Marathon Tickets?
If you are searching for tickets because you want to watch the race, you do not need a runner entry. The official spectator arrangements focus on public viewing locations along the course rather than selling race-entry tickets to spectators.
London Marathon Events also states that hospitality tickets are not available to purchase. Spectators can instead plan where to watch using the organiser’s course guidance, including accessible viewing areas at locations such as Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Tower Hill, and Victoria Embankment.
If you’re looking for a healthy snack to fuel your training for the London Marathon, check out this article on Delicious Homemade Cottage Cheese: A Simple and Healthy Recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the London Marathon?
The London Marathon is an annual 26.2-mile road marathon held in London, United Kingdom. It began in 1981 and brings together elite athletes, recreational runners, charity fundraisers, and spectators along a course from Greenwich to Westminster.
When is the 2027 London Marathon?
The 2027 TCS London Marathon takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. It is a special one-off two-day edition, with in-person participants assigned to one of the two race days.
How can I get a place in the 2027 London Marathon?
You may still be able to enter through a charity place, Good For Age, Championship entry, an approved international tour operator, or another eligible official route. The public ballot has already been drawn and is no longer open for 2027.
Is the 2027 London Marathon ballot still open?
No. The 2027 public ballot ran from 24 April to 1 May 2026, results were issued on 9 July, and successful runners had a later deadline to confirm their details.
Can I run the London Marathon for a charity?
Yes. Participating charities receive entries and can offer them to runners who agree to their application and fundraising requirements. Fundraising targets are set by each charity rather than by one universal London Marathon rule.
What is Good For Age entry for the London Marathon?
Good For Age is a qualification route for UK residents who meet an age-based marathon standard. For 2027 there are 6,000 places, and meeting the qualifying time allows you to apply but does not guarantee a place.
What is Championship entry for the London Marathon?
Championship entry is a performance-based route for runners who meet faster qualifying standards and the required UK Athletics membership rules. For 2027, places are capped at 1,200 and applications close on 20 October 2026.
Can I buy or transfer another runner’s London Marathon entry?
No. London Marathon entries are personal and cannot be sold, swapped, or transferred to another participant. Using another person’s race number can invalidate the entry and may lead to exclusion from future events.
Sources
- London Marathon Events: TCS London Marathon 2027: 2027 dates, two-day format, participant total, and current entry options.
- London Marathon Events: Ballot: ballot result date, confirmation deadline, fees, and post-ballot options.
- London Marathon Events: Good For Age Entry: application dates, eligibility, place cap, qualifying period, and qualifying times.
- London Marathon Events: Championship Entry: application dates, membership rules, place cap, and qualifying standards.
- London Marathon Events: International Participants: approved tour operators and guaranteed international entry packages.
- London Marathon Events: British Athletics Club Entry: status of the 2027 club-entry criteria.
- London Marathon Events: General Conditions of Entry: non-transferability, age requirements, race-day allocation, and Event Pack rules.
- London Marathon Events: TCS London Marathon MyWay: virtual-event dates, fees, distance, and participation rules.
- London Marathon Events: Running Show: Event Pack collection at ExCeL London and current 2027 opening-time status.
