Reminder: 2026 New York City Marathon Ballot Opens Tomorrow

If New York has been lingering in the back of your mind as a future marathon target, now is the moment to stop drifting and start acting. The entry draw for the 2026 New York City Marathon opens tomorrow, and Irish runners hoping to get on the start line need to be organised from the off.

The race returns to the streets of New York City on Sunday 1 November 2026, taking runners through all five boroughs over the classic 42.195km route before the long run into Central Park. It remains the biggest marathon on the planet by numbers alone and sits firmly at the heart of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, attracting a truly global field every year.

Ballot dates you need to know

New York Road Runners has confirmed the timetable for the general nonguaranteed entry draw.

• The ballot opens on February 4th
• It closes on February 25th
• Results are released on March 4th

Applications are submitted through the NYRR website. When results land, they land in one go. There is no slow drip. You either get the confirmation email or the familiar polite refusal. Successful applicants are charged automatically shortly afterwards, so there is no time buffer once the place is confirmed.

Entry fees and what to budget for

The official entry cost for the 2026 race has not yet been released.

That said, recent history gives a solid guide for planning purposes.

For the 2025 New York City Marathon, fees were set at roughly:

• Around 255 US dollars for NYRR members
• Around 350 US dollars for international non members

Most runners applying from Ireland fall into the international category and should plan their finances with that figure in mind until final confirmation arrives. The key point is that payment is taken without delay once a place is awarded.

Miss the ballot? There are other routes

Not getting pulled in the draw does not automatically end the road.

Time qualification remains an option for runners who hit the required standards in an eligible marathon or half marathon. These entries are processed during the same February window.

Charity places continue to be one of the most reliable routes for overseas runners. A guaranteed bib is secured in exchange for fundraising and removes the uncertainty of the ballot entirely.

Approved international travel partners also offer guaranteed entry packages, usually combined with accommodation and race week support. These come at a higher overall cost but appeal to runners who want certainty and logistics handled in one go.

Before you submit

For Irish runners eyeing New York in 2026, today is about preparation rather than hype. Check that your NYRR account is live, your personal details are accurate, and your card is ready if the confirmation email drops. The NYRR website outlines all rules, timelines and alternative entry paths and remains the reference point as February unfolds.

If New York is on the agenda for next year, the door opens tomorrow. No fuss. No overthinking. Put the entry in and let the draw do what it does.