How to apply for London Marathon 2027: Ballot open and close dates and entry fee

Ballot opening date: The ballot for the 2027 TCS London Marathon is already open – the entry window opened at 9am on Friday. So if you're watching the 2026 edition and have the appetite to give it a go yourself, you can officially enter right now. Ballot closing date: The application window is notoriously short, typically staying open for only a few days. For 2027, the ballot will close on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 4pm. Late applications are strictly not accepted. Where to apply: All applications must be submitted through the official TCS London Marathon website. Prospective runners are required to create a profile and provide details including their predicted finish time to ensure they are placed in the correct starting wave if successful. UK entry fee: The entry fee for successful UK applicants for the 2027 race is £79.99. This fee is only paid if you are lucky enough to secure a place in the random draw; there is no cost to enter the ballot itself. If you get a place through the ballot, this then drops to £49.99. Charity places: You can apply for a spot through a UK-based charity. While the registration fee is often lower, you will be required to commit to a significant fundraising target, usually between £2,000 and £3,000. International entry fee: For international runners, the fee is set higher at £225. International applicants are entered into a separate ballot from UK residents. International tour operators: You can book a package through an official international tour operator. These packages include a guaranteed entry but are significantly more expensive as they usually bundle in accommodation and travel services. Announcement of results: You won't find out immediately if you've been successful. All ballot applicants will be notified of their status via email in late June or early July 2026. This gives successful runners approximately nine months to prepare for the April 2027 event. 'Good for Age' & 'Championship' places: Fast runners may qualify via the "Good for Age" or "Championship" entry paths. For the former, you can only apply as a UK resident, while for the latter, you must be a registered member of a UK Athletics (UKA) affiliated club. READ MORE: London tube strikes: Marathon travel tips ahead of Sunday's big race