London Marathon 2026 – general ballot now open! | Latest News
Enter the ballot and let the adventure begin! The 2026 TCS London Marathon opened today Friday 25 April and closes on Friday 2 May 2025.
swlstg.nhs.ukHere’s the latest on the London Marathon 2026 based on this week’s reporting.
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Expansion talks: Multiple outlets report that organisers are considering running the event over two days in 2027 to accommodate up to 100,000 runners, in response to record ballot demand seen in 2026. No final decision has been approved yet, but discussions are at an advanced stage.[2][3]
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2026 race date and logistics: The 2026 London Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, with Greenwich Park and Blackheath again serving as start areas. Ballot volumes for 2026 reached a global record, with about 1.1 million applicants.[1][4]
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Official statements: London Marathon organisers emphasised ongoing efforts to enable more people to participate while benefiting London and charity partners; any two-day format would require broad buy-in from partners and the Mayor of London.[1][2]
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Current event status: While tallies and forecasts are building excitement, no concrete change to the 2027 format has been confirmed publicly as of mid-April 2026. Expect updates from the official London Marathon channels as decisions near.[3][2]
Illustration: A potential two-day London Marathon could separate elite races from mass participation, or split the full field across two weekend days to preserve course experience and crowd management while increasing capacity.[2]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official statements or compile a concise calendar of confirmed dates for 2026–2027 events and entries.[3][2]