London Marathon 2027Ballot Opening Soon

The TCS London Marathon is the world's most popular marathon, with over 1.1 million applicants for the 2026 race alone. If you want to run through London in 2027, you need to be ready when the ballot opens around race day in April 2026.

With acceptance rates now below 5%, timing is everything. The ballot window is typically open for just 6 days, and it's easy to miss while watching the race coverage.

Key Dates for 2027

For official updates, head to the TCS London Marathon website.

How to Enter the 2027 London Marathon

There are four main ways to secure a spot: the public ballot, charity entry, Good For Age (GFA), or international tour operators.

1. The Public Ballot

This is how most runners enter. It's a completely random draw, and entering the main ballot is free. However, your odds are slim: over 1.1 million people applied for the 2026 race, and only around 17,000–20,000 ballot places are available.

Entry Fee (if successful): £79.99 for UK residents, £225 for international runners.

Second Chance Option (UK only): You can donate £49.99 when entering the ballot. If you're unsuccessful in the main draw, you're automatically entered into a second-chance ballot, effectively doubling your chances. You also receive a premium running top worth £60, and your donation supports the London Marathon Foundation. If you win with the donation, your £49.99 becomes your entry fee.

2. Charity Entries

Around 15,000 places go to charity runners each year. This is the most reliable way to guarantee a spot if you're willing to fundraise.

Cost: A registration fee (typically £50–£100) plus a fundraising commitment, usually between £2,000 and £2,500 for major charities.

Timeline: The 2027 Charity Ballot for organizations (500 places) was open December 1–11, 2025. Individual charity places typically open after the public ballot results are announced in July 2026, though some charities start recruiting earlier.

Important: Charity places fill up extremely fast, often before the public ballot results are even announced in July. If you're serious about running for a charity, don't wait for your ballot result. Contact your chosen charity before the ballot opens in April, or immediately after entering. By the time you find out you didn't get in through the ballot, most charity spots will already be gone.

Pro tip: Even if a charity appears full, get on their waitlist. Many runners drop out due to injury or other commitments, and spots open up unexpectedly.

3. Good For Age (GFA)

If you're a fast runner and UK resident, you can apply for a Good For Age place. Around 6,000 GFA spots are available (3,000 men, 3,000 women), but places are allocated to the fastest runners first, so meeting the standard doesn't guarantee entry.

Example 2026 Times: Sub-2:52 (men 18–39), Sub-3:38 (women 18–39). Times are more generous for older age groups.

Qualifying Period for 2027: Expected to be October 2025 – September 2026 (confirm on the official website).

Note: GFA is for UK residents only. Your qualifying marathon must be on a certified course (UKA, AIMS, or national governing body certified).

4. International Tour Operators

If you live outside the UK, you can secure a guaranteed entry through an official International Tour Operator (ITO). These packages include race entry, hotel accommodation, and sometimes travel. They're expensive but reliable. Packages typically sell out quickly after the ballot results are announced.

Ballot Odds: What Are Your Chances?

The London Marathon has become increasingly competitive:

With demand growing and available places relatively stable, the second-chance option (UK only) is worth considering to double your odds.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more detailed information, check out the official London Marathon entry page.