2027 London Marathon Ballot Now Open

The ballot for the 2027 London Marathon is officially open now. If you’ve ever dreamed of crossing that finish line on The Mall, you need to move fast, the window to enter is extremely short, closing at 4pm British Summer Time next Friday, May 1st.

2027 Entry Fees

Standard UK Entry: £79.99
International Entry: £225.00 (includes a mandatory carbon offset fee to mitigate travel impact appartently)

A Historic Twist: Two Days, 100,000 Runners

The biggest talking point for 2027 is the potential expansion of the event. Organizers are currently exploring a one off (yeah, right) two day format for the weekend of April 24th to 25th, 2027.

If the proposal is finalized, the marathon would be split across Saturday and Sunday. This would allow the race to double its capacity, potentially hosting 100,000 participants, a figure that would shatter world records for marathon attendance.

The "Double Your Chances" Strategy

When you enter the ballot, you have the option to donate your entry fee upfront to the London Marathon Foundation. This is widely considered the smartest way to enter for a few reasons:

A Second Opportunity: If you aren’t successful in the primary draw, you are automatically entered into a second "lucky dip" draw, effectively doubling your odds.
Discounted Success: If you win a spot through this donation route, your actual entry fee is reduced to £49.99.
A Guaranteed Gift: If you are unsuccessful in both draws, you don't walk away empty-handed; you’ll receive a premium hydration vest worth over £100.
Supporting the Community: Your donation goes directly toward funding physical activity initiatives across the UK.

What Happens Next?

Once you submit your application, keep an eye on your inbox for an immediate confirmation email. If you chose to donate your fee, you’ll also receive a payment receipt. Make sure to check your junk folder if these don’t show up quickly.

The wait for results will take a few months, with the official announcement coming via email in early July 2026. If you’re one of the lucky ones, your place will either be fully prepaid (if you donated) or you’ll be asked to pay the standard fee to secure your bib for what promises to be a historic 2027 weekend