The 2027 ballot — what just happened
The 2027 TCS London Marathon ballot opened at 09:00 BST on Friday 24 April 2026 and closed at 16:00 BST on Friday 1 May 2026. 1,338,544 people entered — a new record, up from 1,133,813 for 2026, and more than double the 578,304 who applied just three years ago.
The surge followed one of the most extraordinary races in marathon history. On 26 April 2026, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe became the first man ever to run a legal sub-two-hour marathon (1:59:30), with three men in the top six all finishing faster than the previous world record. Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa defended her women's crown in a world record 2:15:41. If you watched that race and then entered the ballot, you understand exactly why 1.33 million other people did the same thing.
For the first time in the race's history, more than one million applicants came from inside the UK alone. Roughly half were women. Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, called the total "astonishing" and said it "firmly establishes London as the world's most sought-after marathon. Nothing else comes close."
If you entered — what happens now
The draw is completely random. There is nothing you can do to improve your odds now that the ballot is closed. Ballot results will be emailed to all applicants by early July 2026. You do not need to check anything in the meantime — you will receive an email either way.
| Outcome | What happens |
|---|---|
| Successful (standard ballot) | Email confirmation with payment instructions. UK entry fee: £79.99. International: £225. |
| Successful (Double Your Chances) | Entry confirmed and paid (£49.99 already submitted). Place is yours. |
| Unsuccessful — entered Double Your Chances | Automatically entered into second draw. Results also in early July. Gift if unsuccessful in both. |
| Unsuccessful | Email notification. Charity entry is still open — see below. |
The two-day format — what it means for your odds
London Marathon Events is exploring a one-off two-day format for 2027 — Saturday 24 April and Sunday 25 April — that would accommodate up to 100,000 runners instead of the current ~50,000. A decision is expected by end of May 2026.
If approved, all ballot entrants are automatically entered into draws for both days. You can only run one, but your chances of getting any place would roughly double. At current ballot numbers, that would move odds from approximately 1 in 79 (17,000 ballot places among 1.33M applicants) to approximately 1 in 39 — still long, but meaningfully better.
UK runners who opted into the Double Your Chances option (£49.99, second draw if unsuccessful in first) could have up to four draws if the two-day format is approved — the main ballot on both days, and the second draw on both days. The two-day decision lands before ballot results are announced in July.
See the full two-day format explainer for what a 100,000-runner race weekend would mean for accommodation, elite races, and logistics.
If you missed the ballot
The public ballot is closed, but London 2027 is not out of reach. Several entry routes remain available:
| Route | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charity entry | ✅ Open now | 300+ partner charities. Fundraising minimum typically ~£2,000. Contact charities now — earlier is better as allocations fill. |
| Good For Age (GFA) | ⏳ Watch official site | UK residents only. 6,000 places (3,000 per gender), awarded fastest-first. 2027 qualifying window announced after the 2026 race. |
| Tour Operator packages | ✅ Some available | International runners can access some allocations. Check the official London Marathon licensed tour operators list. |
Charity allocations fill throughout the year. The most popular charities fill fastest. Waiting until September or October significantly reduces your options. If you want London 2027, contact charities in May or June while allocations are still available.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly will ballot results be sent?
By early July 2026. Results are processed in batches — there is no single announcement date. All applicants receive an email with their outcome. You do not need to log in or check anywhere; the result comes to you.
I entered "Double Your Chances." What does that mean?
You're in the same main ballot as everyone else. If not selected in the first draw, you're automatically entered into a second draw. Both run before July results. Your £49.99 is already paid — if you get a place, it's confirmed. If unsuccessful in both draws, you receive a thank-you gift.
I got a place. Can I defer or transfer it?
Ballot places can be deferred to 2028 at any time up until 23:59 the night before race day. No person-to-person transfers are permitted. See the full can't-run guide for complete details by entry type.
What are my odds of getting in?
With 1,338,544 entries and roughly 17,000 public ballot places, baseline odds are around 1 in 79. If the two-day format is approved (decision end of May), ballot places could roughly double — around 1 in 39. Double Your Chances entrants have at least double those odds again. Charity entry is the only route to a guaranteed place.
Why were there so many entries for 2027?
The 2026 race was one of the greatest marathons ever run. Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 — the first legal sub-two-hour marathon. Yomif Kejelcha ran 1:59:41 in his marathon debut. Tigst Assefa broke her own women's world record in 2:15:41. 59,830 runners crossed the finish line. When a race produces something like that, the next ballot follows.
Got a place and need somewhere to stay?
London Marathon weekend is the most competitive accommodation weekend in the city. BibBuddy connects runners with hosts near the start and finish line — race weekend stays, spare rooms, shared flats.
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