Runners gearing up for the Sydney Marathon next weekend will receive a medal featuring a football stadium in Germany instead of Moore Park due to an “unfortunate error”.
Organisers say the design on the back of the 2026 medal features eight circles to represent the Abbott World Marathon Majors, encircled by a “beautiful Sydney skyline” that “brings the course to life, featuring the landmarks runners will experience along the way”.
However, a structure meant to depict the Sydney Football Stadium, which under naming rights is currently Allianz Stadium, was actually the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Eagle-eyed internet dwellers were quick to recognise the blunder among local landmarks like the harbour bridge, Sydney Tower Eye and St Mary’s Cathedral.
The Allianz Arena football stadium in Munich, Germany. (WikiCommons: Tobias Alt)
Sydney Marathon acknowledged the issue, saying it was not going to run away from the mistake.
“A little too much international flavour has found its way onto the back of the finishers medal, with an incorrect depiction of the stadium. We’re not going to run from it,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“It was an unfortunate error, though it’s certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humour.”
The organisers did not apologise and made clear there would not be a replacement medal.
The organisers say the mistake adds “international flavour”. (Supplied: Sydney Marathon)
“With the event a week away, this is the medal our finishers will receive. It’s a beautiful medal, and now a little more unique,” they said.
“We’re grateful to our participants and partners for taking it in such good humour.
“Behind every one of these medals is months of early mornings, long runs and quiet determination, and having it placed around your neck at the Sydney Opera House is a moment our participants will never forget.”
Artist distances himself from error
The front of the medal features a blue and white Indigenous design by First Nations artist Ambrose Killian.
In an Instagram story, he said he was not involved in the design for the back of the medal.
“My artwork and creative contribution to this year’s medal was specifically for the lanyard and the front side of the medal only,” he said.
Ambrose Killian designed the front of the 2026 Sydney Marathon medal. (Supplied: Sydney Marathon)
“I had no involvement in the design or production of the reverse side of the medal, including the incorrect inclusion of Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, rather than Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
“I take my work very seriously and would like to reiterate that my artwork story, importance and originality remains.”
This year’s Sydney Marathon has set a record participation with 40,000 entrants stepping up to the start line on Sunday, August 30.
The 42.2 kilometre course starts at the North Sydney Oval, before going over the harbour bridge, looping through the city, heading south to Kingsford and snaking back to Centennial Park, with participants crossing the finish line at the Sydney Opera House.