Everything you need to know about the London Marathon 2026
TCS London Marathon 2024(Image: PA)
Thousands of runners will take to the streets today, April 27, as part of the UK’s biggest marathon event – and entry details for next year’s London Marathon, including the ballot, have already been unveiled.
Typically held on the last Sunday in April, organisers have confirmed that the 2026 London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Every year, thousands of runners compete in the capital to raise much-needed money for an array of deserving charities, with the pros also turning out in the hunt for records.
Unlike this year, the Manchester and London marathons will be held on different dates next year, with the 2026 Manchester Marathon taking place on Sunday, April 19.
When is the London Marathon 2026?
London Marathon day next year is Sunday, April 26, 2026.
London’s route in 2026 will start at Greenwich Park and make its way down the Thames and around Canary Wharf before ending up in St. James’ Park – and the ballot to take part in the race is already open.
The London Marathon 2026 ballot opened on Friday, April 25, 2025 and will close on Friday, May 2, 2025.
What is the ballot and how does it work?
Anyone can enter into the ballot to secure a place in the race, and winners are drawn at random so everyone has an equal shot of taking party.
Entrance is £79.99 but you do not have to pay upfront. You can however, choose to donate your entrance fee to charity regardless of the result of the ballot.
If you choose to donate and you’re successful in the ballot, you’ll secure a spot in the next TCS London Marathon. But if you have entered in the ballot and don’t get a place you will automatically be entered into a second ballot.
The marathon organisers say this “will ensure that you will at least double your chance of getting a place through that second draw. If you are successful in either ballot, your entry is prepaid and confirmed”.
The entry fee will also reduced to £49.99 if you get a place through the ballot. If you did not choose to donate, you have to pay the full £79.99 if you’re successful.
People who choose to donate and don’t get a place in either ballot will receive a premium winter running top worth £60. The donation will go to the London Marathon Foundation to help make a difference and inspire activity across the UK, organiser say.
What happens if I secure a place for the London Marathon 2026?
When you apply you will be sent a confirmation email and a payment receipt if you donate your entry fee.
If you didn’t opt to donate your entry fee when applying, and you get offered a place, you’ll need to pay the full entry fee of £79.99 – otherwise it will cost you £49.99.
The results of the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot will be emailed to all entrants in July.
What if I don’t get a place?
There are other ways to run the London Marathon even if you don’t secure a place through the public ballot. You can run for a charity as hundreds of places are allocated to various charities.
Charities then allocate these places to runners who, in return, agree to raise a minimum amount of money for that charity. You can search the London Marathon’s charity listings for a cause that you’re interested in, then get in touch with the charity to see if they can offer you a place.
Charity entries
Each year, most major charities are given a set number of TCS London Marathon entry places through the Golden and Silver Bond schemes. They allocate these places to runners who, in return, agree to raise a minimum amount of money for that charity.
The London Marathon website says: “There are usually more people interested in running for a charity than there are charity places available, so often charities will select participants based on their connection with the cause and how much money they are realistically able to raise. They will ask you questions in order to determine this.”
Full details of the charity entry process is available on this link.