Mar 7, 2027Qualifier entry Jul 2027
Bucket List Marathons: How to Get In
2027 lottery and ballot dates, qualifying times, charity places and tour operators for the World Marathon Majors and the other marathons runners most want to run. See the half marathons
World Marathon Majors
Apr 19, 2027Charity places open
Boston Marathon
Apr 24, 2027Lottery Apr 2027
London Marathon
May 23, 2027Lottery Jun 2027
Cape Town Marathon
Aug 29, 2027Qualifier entry Sep 2027
Sydney Marathon
Sep 26, 2027Lottery closes today
Berlin Marathon
Oct 10, 2027Results Dec 8
Chicago Marathon
Nov 7, 2027Lottery Feb 2027
NYC Marathon
Dec 2027Lottery Apr 2027
Shanghai Marathon
More bucket list marathons
Oct 24, 2027Lottery closes Nov 17
Dublin Marathon
Dec 2027Lottery Dec 2026
Valencia Marathon
Apr 4, 2027Sale opens Dec 1
Paris Marathon
Apr 11, 2027Sale Oct 2027
Rotterdam Marathon
May 9, 2027Lottery May 2027
Copenhagen Marathon
Apr 25, 2027Lottery Aug 2027
Big Sur Marathon
Upcoming dates
Openings, closings and results over the next three months.
NOV12Berlin Marathon2027 lottery closes, Nov 12, 2026TodayNOV12Berlin Marathon2027 qualifier entry closes, Nov 12, 2026TodayNOV12Dublin Marathon2027 lottery opens, Nov 12, 2026TodayNOV17Dublin Marathon2027 lottery closes, Nov 17, 2026In 5 daysNOV25Dublin Marathon2027 lottery results, Nov 25, 2026In 13 daysDEC1Paris Marathon2027 official resale opens, Dec 1, 2026In 19 daysDEC3Berlin Marathon2027 lottery results, Dec 3, 2026In 21 daysDEC3Berlin Marathon2027 qualifier entry results, Dec 3, 2026In 21 daysDEC8Chicago Marathon2027 lottery results, Dec 8, 2026In 26 daysDECTBAValencia Marathon2027 lottery opens, date not announcedExpectedJANTBAValencia Marathon2027 lottery results, date not announcedExpectedFEBTBANYC Marathon2027 lottery opens, date not announcedExpected
The year ahead
The next way into each race: when entry opens, when the results come out and race day, soonest first.
2026NovDec2027JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
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2027
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2027
Lottery covers ballots and drawings. Charity places and official tour operators take entries for most of the year, so they are not on the timeline.
Questions
Which marathon lotteries are open now?
Berlin Marathon: 2027 lottery closes today. Berlin Marathon: 2027 qualifier entry closes today. Dublin Marathon: 2027 lottery closes Nov 17.
What are the bucket list marathons?
The eight World Marathon Majors, Shanghai as a candidate Major, and the marathons where demand runs well past the field: Dublin, Valencia, Paris, Rotterdam, Copenhagen and Big Sur.
Can I run a World Marathon Major without the lottery?
Yes. Every Major has charity places and official tour operators, and most take qualifying times. Boston has no public lottery at all.
Is a ballot the same as a lottery?
Yes. UK, Irish and Australian races say ballot. US races say lottery or drawing. All of them are random draws.
Do I pay to enter a marathon lottery?
Usually only if you are picked. Cape Town charges R5 to apply and gives it to charity.
Most of these marathons take entries by lottery or ballot, and every one of them gets far more applications than it has places. London had 1,338,544 applications for 2027. About 1% of NYC Marathon applicants got in for 2026. Boston takes only qualifiers, and in 2027 they needed to be 5 minutes 17 seconds under their standard.
The draw is rarely the only way in. Charity places, official tour operators, qualifying times and loyalty programs such as NYC 9+1 or Chicago legacy entry all skip it. Each race guide lists every route with its dates and cost.
Entry guides
Dates come from each race's official site. An expected date follows last year's timing until the race announces it.