The ballot to enter the 2026 TCS London Marathon is now open!
From Friday 25 April 2025 until Friday 2 May 2025, you can enter the London Marathon ballot with the hope of being successfully drawn to run the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April 2026.
You can enter the London Marathon ballot here.
The draw is made at random, and everyone has an equal chance of getting a place via the ballot. The results of the 2026 London Marathon ballot will be announced in early July by email.
There are ballots for UK residents and international runners. The ballot is free to enter, but there’s an option for UK residents to pay £49.99 to donate their race fee.
UK residents can choose to donate £49.99 to the London Marathon Foundation when you apply (this is optional). If you do this and are successfully selected you do not need to pay any more money and you are entered into the race.
If you donate and are not selected in the first draw, you move into a second drawing where a further 3,000 marathon places are available. If successful in this draw you are entered into the race. If you’re unsuccessful in both draws, you’ll receive a premium winter running top.
If you do not choose to donate the entry fee, you will need to pay £79.99 if successfully drawn – there will be a limited amount of time to do this after the results are announced in July.
International ballot entries are free. If successful then these places are more expensive than the UK prices and need to be paid within a limited time window after the results are announced in July.
If it’s your first marathon, then here’s how long it takes to train for a marathon.
Want to know other ways to enter the London Marathon? Here are all the ways you can enter the London Marathon including running for charity, running a Good For Age time and getting a place via an international tour group.
Or if you’re interested in other spring marathons for 2026 then some of the most popular in the UK include the Brighton Marathon, Newport Marathon and Manchester Marathon.
Here’s Jess sharing some top tips ahead of the London Marathon.
