How to Get Tickets for the London Marathon

Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe

If you are searching for London Marathon tickets, first decide whether you want to run or watch. Runners do not simply buy a standard ticket: they must secure an official entry through the ballot, a charity, a qualifying route, an athletics club, an international tour operator or an eligible disability entry route. Spectators, on the other hand, can normally watch from public areas along the course without buying a ticket.

Understanding the Different Entry Methods for Participants

There is no single way to enter the TCS London Marathon. London Marathon Events lists several routes, and the right one depends on where you live, your race performance, athletics membership, fundraising plans and accessibility needs.

All participants in the main TCS London Marathon must be 18 or over on Event Day. Younger runners can instead look at events such as the TCS Mini London Marathon.

Applying Through the Ballot System

The public ballot is the best-known way to apply for a London Marathon place. However, it is crucial to understand how it actually works.

For the 2027 Double TCS London Marathon, the ballot was open from 09:00 BST on Friday 24 April until 16:00 BST on Friday 1 May 2026. It has now closed and will not reopen for the 2027 event.

The ballot is a completely random draw. You do not gain an advantage by entering on the first day rather than the last day, provided your valid application reaches London Marathon Events before the deadline.

The 2027 ballot attracted more than 1.33 million applications. Because the 2027 event has expanded into a one-off two-day format, entrants were automatically included in draws covering Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. A successful runner is allocated an event day and cannot simply swap that place with another participant.

The London Marathon ballot is random. Your running speed, training history, gear and the time of day you submit the application do not make your ballot application stronger.

What Happens After a Successful Ballot Result?

All 2027 ballot results have now been sent. Successful applicants need to complete the official confirmation process by 16:00 BST on Friday 31 July 2026, even if payment has already been made.

For the 2027 ballot, the standard UK entry price is £79.99. Entrants who selected the donation option when applying and were successful receive the reduced £49.99 entry price. The published international ballot entry fee is £275, including the event’s international-travel carbon-offset fee.

Securing Charity Places and Fundraising Opportunities

A charity place is one of the strongest alternatives if you missed the public ballot. London Marathon Events publishes a directory of charities with places, including charities offering places for the 2027 Double.

You apply directly to the charity, not through a second public London Marathon ballot. Each organization can decide how it selects runners and what fundraising commitment it expects.

Some popular charities receive far more applications than they have places, so a charity entry should not be treated as automatic. A strong application normally shows genuine interest in the cause and a realistic plan for reaching the charity’s fundraising target.

Register With a Chosen Charity

Start with the official charity listings and identify organizations whose work matters to you. Check whether places are still available and read the charity’s application terms before applying.

If selected, follow the charity’s instructions to complete your official race registration. London Marathon Events uses its registration system to manage allocated charity entries, so being accepted by a charity and completing the official registration are both important steps.

Meet Fundraising Targets

Fundraising requirements vary by charity. There is no single universal fundraising target that applies to every London Marathon charity runner.

Once accepted, build your fundraising plan early:

1. Set milestones: Break the charity’s target into smaller monthly or weekly goals.
2. Explain your connection: Tell donors why the charity and the marathon matter to you.
3. Use several channels: Combine direct messages, email, social media and in-person fundraising rather than relying on one post.
4. Update supporters: Training progress, race milestones and fundraising totals give people a reason to revisit your page.

Complete Your Official Entry

A charity’s offer alone is not the final step. Complete every registration form and deadline the charity sends you. If anything is unclear, contact the charity directly because it manages the allocation of its own runner places.

International Entry: Use Official Tour Operators

International runners should not rely on vague claims about “overseas charitable groups.” London Marathon Events has an official international-entry system built around approved tour operators.

Official operators can offer guaranteed race entry as part of travel packages in supported countries and territories. Packages may combine the entry with accommodation, travel support or other services, so prices and inclusions vary.

Sports Tours International is listed as the official overseas tour operator for runners in the USA, Ireland, France and selected other territories, while additional approved operators serve countries across Africa, Asia and other regions.

Choosing a Reputable International Provider

Use the official London Marathon international-participant directory to identify approved operators. Avoid paying an unknown seller that simply claims to have a “guaranteed London Marathon ticket.”

Before paying, confirm exactly what the package includes, its cancellation policy, accommodation dates and whether the race entry is guaranteed for your territory.

Meeting Registration Deadlines

International package deadlines are set by individual operators and availability can disappear before Marathon Day. Once you reserve a package, complete every runner-registration step promptly and keep copies of your booking and confirmation emails.

Other Official Ways to Get a London Marathon Place

The ballot and charity places receive the most attention, but they are not the only legitimate routes. Depending on your circumstances, one of the following may be a better fit.

Good For Age Entry

Good For Age is aimed at fast UK-resident runners who achieve the required marathon time during the specified qualifying period.

Meeting the published time does not automatically guarantee a London Marathon place. Places are capped and allocated according to the event’s published selection system.

As of July 2026, London Marathon Events says the 2027 Good For Age criteria will be published in autumn 2026. Do not rely on 2026 qualifying times as though they are confirmed for 2027.

Championship Entry

Championship entry is intended for faster competitive runners. It requires a qualifying performance and affiliation with an eligible UK athletics governing body under the published rules.

Championship places are also capped. The official page currently states that the 2027 criteria will be released in autumn 2026.

British Athletics Club Entry

Eligible clubs affiliated through England Athletics, Scottish Athletics, Welsh Athletics or Athletics Northern Ireland can receive or compete for club places, depending on their number of qualifying first-claim members.

The club controls how its allocated place is ultimately awarded to a member, so runners interested in this route should check directly with their club.

Participants With Disabilities and Assisted Wheelchair Entry

London Marathon Events has specific support and entry arrangements for participants with disabilities. A runner who is visually impaired or whose disability or medical condition requires a Support Runner can apply for a free Support Runner place.

Assisted-wheelchair participants use a separate process rather than the main ballot. The event’s assisted-wheelchair guidance states that places are for wheelchair users with a permanent disability who cannot complete the course without assistance.

Do Spectators Need London Marathon Tickets?

No standard ticket is required to watch the London Marathon from ordinary public areas along the route. Spectators are welcome to support runners from many locations along the course.

The bigger challenge is finding a practical viewing position. Popular areas can become extremely crowded, particularly around landmarks and major transport stations.

The official spectator guidance highlights busy areas including Cutty Sark, Canada Water, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Limehouse and central London near the finish. Arriving early and planning transport alternatives can make the day much easier.

There are also five accessible viewing areas for spectators with disabilities, with locations at Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Rainbow Row/Butcher Row, Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment. These areas are stewarded and designed to provide barrier-free viewing.

If you are meeting a runner after the finish, agree on a specific meeting point beforehand. Mobile reception can become unreliable when large crowds are concentrated in one area.

Can You Buy London Marathon Hospitality or VIP Tickets?

Despite what the original article suggested, London Marathon Events currently states that hospitality tickets are not available to purchase for the TCS London Marathon.

That means you should be cautious about third-party offers claiming to sell an “official London Marathon VIP ticket” unless the experience is clearly explained and does not falsely imply that London Marathon Events is selling official hospitality access.

Charities may organize their own receptions for runners, friends or family, but those are separate from public London Marathon hospitality tickets and may require an invitation from the charity.

Staying Updated on Registration Deadlines and Announcements

London Marathon entry details change from edition to edition, so old dates and qualifying standards can quickly become misleading.

Use the official event website as your main source and pay particular attention to:

• public ballot opening and closing dates;
• ballot-result and confirmation deadlines;
• Good For Age qualifying periods and standards;
• Championship qualifying standards;
• club-entry announcements;
• charity-place availability;
• international tour-operator listings; and
• disability-entry application windows.

For the 2027 edition, this is especially important because the event is operating as a unique two-day marathon rather than following its normal one-day format.

Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Securing a Spot

You cannot make a standard ballot application more attractive by running faster, buying better gear or writing a stronger application. The ballot is random.

What you can do is use several legitimate entry routes when you are eligible:

1. Enter the public ballot during the official window. There is no benefit to applying early within the window, but missing the deadline removes that option entirely.
2. Apply to suitable charities. Start early and choose causes you genuinely want to support.
3. Check Good For Age. Fast UK residents should monitor the latest qualifying standards and qualifying period.
4. Check Championship eligibility. Competitive affiliated runners may qualify through performance.
5. Ask your athletics club. Eligible British Athletics clubs can receive London Marathon entries.
6. Use an official international operator. This can provide guaranteed entry for eligible overseas runners, although package costs can be substantially higher than a standard ballot place.
7. Use the correct disability-entry pathway. Support-runner and assisted-wheelchair arrangements have their own rules.

Training still matters enormously once you have a place, but it does not improve your odds in the random public ballot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy last-minute tickets for the London Marathon?

There is no ordinary last-minute runner ticket sale. A runner needs an official entry through an eligible route. If the ballot has closed, check legitimate alternatives such as available charity places or an official international tour operator. Spectators normally do not need a ticket to watch from public areas along the route.

Are there age restrictions for London Marathon participants?

Yes. Participants in the main TCS London Marathon must be at least 18 years old on Event Day. Younger runners can explore the TCS Mini London Marathon and other age-appropriate events.

How early should I register for the London Marathon?

Enter during the official application window for your chosen route. For the public ballot, applying on the first day does not improve your odds because selection is random. The important thing is to submit a valid application before the closing deadline.

Is there a waiting list for London Marathon ballot entries?

Do not rely on a general paid waiting-list system. For the 2027 Double, London Marathon Events has confirmed that the closed public ballot will not reopen. Unsuccessful applicants are directed toward alternatives such as charity entry, Good For Age where eligible and the virtual event.

Can spectators watch the London Marathon without tickets?

Yes. Ordinary spectators can normally watch from public locations along the marathon route without buying a ticket. Some sections become extremely crowded, so check the official spectator guide and plan your transport and viewing locations before Event Day.

Can I buy an official London Marathon VIP or hospitality package?

London Marathon Events currently says hospitality tickets are not available to purchase for the TCS London Marathon. Charity receptions and third-party experiences should not be confused with an official public hospitality ticket.

Can I transfer my London Marathon place to another runner?

No. London Marathon entries cannot simply be transferred to a friend or purchased from another participant. Only enter through an official route and follow the event’s registration conditions.

Conclusion

Getting into the London Marathon is about finding the correct official entry route, not simply buying a ticket. The public ballot is random, charity places involve individual charity requirements, and eligible runners may also have Good For Age, Championship, club, international or disability-specific options.

For 2027, remember that the marathon will be a special two-day event on 24–25 April 2027. The public ballot has already closed and results have been issued, so unsuccessful runners should now focus on the remaining legitimate entry routes.

If you only want to watch, the process is much easier: standard roadside spectating is generally free, although popular areas can become extremely busy. There is no need to buy an ordinary spectator ticket, and official TCS London Marathon hospitality tickets are not currently offered for sale.

Sources

1. London Marathon Events — Enter the Ballot — current ballot status, confirmation deadline and entry fees.
2. London Marathon Events — 2027 Double FAQs — two-day format, ballot rules and current entry information.
3. London Marathon Events — Run for Charity — official charity-place directory and application route.
4. London Marathon Events — International Participants — approved overseas tour operators and guaranteed-entry packages.
5. London Marathon Events — Good For Age Entry — qualifying system and current 2027 update.
6. London Marathon Events — Spectator Guide — viewing areas, crowd guidance and accessible spectator locations.