How to get into the NYC Marathon
- 2028 9+1 Pass drawingSep 17 to Sep 29, 2026
- ResultsOct 1, 2026
- 2027 lotteryFeb 2027, expected
- ResultsMar 2027, expected
- Race dayNov 7, 2027
Every way into the NYC Marathon
| Route | Who it's for | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawing | Anyone 18 or older, in three pools: NYC metro, rest of the US, international | Expected February 2027, drawn in March (2026: Feb 4 to 25, drawn Mar 4) | $269.66 for NYRR members, $333.11 for non-members (2027), charged when drawn |
| 9+1 for 2027 | NYRR members who ran nine qualifying races and volunteered once in 2026 | Claim during the 2027 guaranteed entry period, dates to be announced | The entry fee; membership active on Dec 31, 2026 |
| 9+1 Pass for 2028 | NYRR members picked in the free 9+1 eligibility drawing | Entered Sep 17 to 29, 2026, drawn Oct 1; races and volunteering in 2027 | $99 pass, then the 2028 entry fee |
| Time qualifier | Runners under the NYRR standard in 2026, chip time | NYRR race times: claim in 2027. Other marathons: apply in a window to be announced | The entry fee; guaranteed only for NYRR race times |
| 15+ finishes | Runners with 15 or more NYC Marathon finishes | Claim period, dates to be announced | The entry fee |
| Charity | Anyone accepted by an Official Charity Partner or Team for Kids | Team for Kids open now; partners named in spring 2027 | Team for Kids from $3,000 plus a $125 fee; partners such as Boston Children's $5,500; entry fee on top |
| Cancellation credit | Runners who canceled their 2026 entry by the deadline | Claim during the 2027 claim period | The entry fee |
| Tour operator | People who are not full-time US residents, through an Official International Tour Operator | Operators named in early 2027 | Package price; from A$3,525 in Australia for 2026 |
What changed with 9+1
Starting with the 2027 program, which earns entry to the 2028 race, 9+1 begins with a free drawing for NYRR members. Members had to be active by September 16, 2026, enter between September 17 and 29, and were drawn on October 1. NYRR said the first drawing would pick 15,000 or more members.
Members who are drawn pay $99, including processing, for a 9+1 Pass. In 2027 they must run nine qualifying NYRR races, volunteer once and stay a member through December 31, 2027 to earn a guaranteed, paid 2028 entry. NYRR says it will help Passholders get into the races they need, and reports say some passes are held for its Race Free program and for runners close to Streaker or 15+ status.
Nothing changes for 2027. Members who completed 9+1 in 2026 claim their 2027 entry in the claim period, and it cannot be moved to 2028. You cannot earn 9+1 in 2026 if you already have a 2027 entry another way.
NYC Marathon drawing results
The drawing is run separately in three pools: the NYC metro area (within 60 miles), the rest of the US, and international. NYRR members who enter are also put in a member-only second-chance drawing, if their membership is active the day before applications open and through drawing day.
Your card is charged the moment you are drawn, and the fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. You can withdraw before the drawing, but NYRR does not check with you after. For 2026, applications ran February 4 to 25 and the drawing was March 4. A record 240,000+ applied and about 1% got in through the drawing, NYRR said.
NYRR has not announced the 2027 dates. Expect applications in February 2027 and the drawing in March.
NYC Marathon qualifying times
For the 2027 race, times must be run between January 1 and December 31, 2026, chip time, with age taken on November 7, 2027. A marathon or half under the standard at an eligible NYRR race gives guaranteed entry: the 2026 NYC Half, Maybelline Women's Half, Brooklyn Half, Staten Island Half and NYC Marathon.
Full marathon times from other certified courses get a limited number of places, fastest first in each age and gender group, and half times from other races do not count. Applicants who miss go into the drawing. The non-NYRR application window and the claim dates for 2027 have not been announced.
| Age | Men | Women and non-binary |
|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 2:53 (1:21) | 3:13 (1:32) |
| 35–39 | 2:55 (1:23) | 3:15 (1:34) |
| 40–44 | 2:58 (1:25) | 3:26 (1:37) |
| 45–49 | 3:05 (1:28) | 3:38 (1:42) |
| 50–54 | 3:14 (1:32) | 3:51 (1:49) |
| 55–59 | 3:23 (1:36) | 4:10 (1:54) |
| 60–64 | 3:34 (1:41) | 4:27 (2:02) |
| 65–69 | 3:45 (1:46) | 4:50 (2:12) |
| 70–74 | 4:10 (1:57) | 5:30 (2:27) |
| 75–79 | 4:30 (2:07) | 6:00 (2:40) |
| 80+ | 4:55 (2:15) | 6:35 (2:50) |
Other guaranteed entries
Runners who finish their 15th NYC Marathon get guaranteed, paid entry in future years. Runners who cancel by the deadline get guaranteed, paid entry the next year, but not two years in a row; for 2026 the deadline was 11:59 p.m. ET on October 31.
Runners picked for and finishing the 2026 Virtual NYC Marathon Guaranteed Entry tier earn a paid 2027 entry. NYRR Philanthropic Members at the 5K and 10K levels, reported as $5,000 and $10,000 a year, get guaranteed entry and VIP hospitality.
NYC Marathon charity entry
Charity places skip the drawing. NYRR's own Team for Kids is open for 2027 now; the two cheaper tiers sold out first. Pledges are due in full by October 13, 2027, and the race fee of $269.66 for members or $333.11 for non-members is paid on top.
NYRR names its Official Charity Partners for 2027 in the spring. Each sets its own minimum; Boston Children's Hospital asks $5,500, or $2,500 if you have your own entry, plus a $200 non-refundable fee. Charity runners who cancel may get next year's entry if they met their fundraising; Team for Kids runners can cancel and run the next year but still owe the pledge on time.
| Tier | Fundraising | Sign-up fee |
|---|---|---|
| General Entry (sold out) | $3,000 | $125 |
| Premium Experience (sold out) | $4,000 | $150 |
| Premium Experience Plus | $5,000 | $250 |
| Community Champion | $10,000 | $530 |
NYC Marathon tour operators
NYRR picks International Tour Operators each year by region and sells them guaranteed entries, $625 each for 2026, paid in advance and non-refundable. Operators can sell only to people who are not full-time US residents, must include a hotel or a round-trip flight with every entry, and must provide race-day transport to the Staten Island start. There is no bib-only option. NYRR names its 2027 operators in early 2027; US residents cannot use this route, and NYRR's travel agency, On Location, sells hotels only.
The 2026 list had more than 100 operators, including 2:09 Events and Sports Tours International (UK); Dream Travel Canada, Contact Amerique, I Run the Globe and Marathon Tours & Travel Canada (Canada); and Travelling Fit, Adventure Time Travel, Keith Prowse Travel, RunFun Travel, Tri Travel and Marathon Tours & Travel (Australia). Travelling Fit sold three or five nights at the WestHouse Hotel with breakfast, a Parade of Nations escort, a coach to the start and a rooftop post-race party, to non-US residents. Dream Travel Canada sold three nights at Midtown hotels with a start-area meet-up.
Operator places sell out fast: Dream Travel Canada's 2025 packages went in two weeks. For 2026 it took CA$650, then US$500 by February 27, then the balance by July 10. Travelling Fit took A$1,600, then A$950 by April 13, then the balance by July 6. Runners who cancel a tour entry get no guaranteed entry the next year; refunds are set by the operator.
| Operator | Country | Package from |
|---|---|---|
| Travelling Fit | Australia | A$3,525, 3 nights (2026) |
| Dream Travel Canada | Canada | Not published; sold out for 2026 |
| On Location | USA | Hotel only, no entry |
NYC entry at a glance
NYC Marathon entry questions
When is the NYC Marathon drawing for 2027?
NYRR has not announced it. The 2026 drawing took applications February 4 to 25, 2026, with results on March 4.
How much does it cost to run the NYC Marathon?
For 2027 the entry fee is $269.66 for NYRR members and $333.11 for non-members, charged only when you are accepted.
What is the new 9+1 Pass?
A $99 pass for NYRR members picked in a free eligibility drawing. Nine races and one volunteer shift in 2027 then earn a guaranteed, paid 2028 entry.
Does the 9+1 change affect 2027?
No. Runners who completed 9+1 in 2026 keep their 2027 entry.
What are the NYC Marathon qualifying times?
For 2027, men 18 to 34 need 2:53 for the marathon or 1:21 at an NYRR half, women 3:13 or 1:32. Times from 2026 only.
What are the odds in the NYC Marathon drawing?
About 1% of 240,000+ applicants got in through the 2026 drawing.
How much do NYC Marathon charity places cost?
Team for Kids starts at $3,000 plus a $125 fee for 2027. Partners set their own minimums, such as $5,500 at Boston Children's Hospital.
Can I defer my NYC Marathon entry?
Not as such. Cancel by the deadline and you can claim a paid, guaranteed entry for the next year, once.
More bucket list races
Dates come from the race's official site. An expected date follows last year's timing until the race announces it.