Save the Date: 2026 New York Marathon Ballot Opens Next Week

If ticking off one of the most iconic marathons in the world is on your running goals for the coming year, now’s the time to plan very carefully. The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon ballot opens next week, and Irish runners hoping for a bib should have their calendars marked and form ready.

The New York Marathon takes place in New York City on Sunday, November 1st 2026, weaving 42.195km through all five boroughs and finishing in Central Park. It’s the largest marathon on the planet and one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, attracting tens of thousands of runners from across the globe.

Ballot Entry Window and Key Dates

According to New York Road Runners, the general non guaranteed entry drawing follows this timeline:

• Ballot opens: 4 February 2026
• Ballot closes: 25 February 2026
• Results announced: 4 March 2026
• Enter via the NYRR website

Results are released all at once, so runners will either wake up to a very good email or a familiar rejection message. If you are successful, payment is taken automatically shortly after confirmation.

How Much Does the New York Marathon Cost?

As of now, the official entry fee for the 2026 New York City Marathon has not yet been published online by the organisers.

That said, runners can use last year’s figures as a realistic guide when planning.

For the 2025 New York City Marathon, entry fees were as follows:

• NYRR members paid approximately $255 USD
• International runners who were not NYRR members paid approximately $350 USD

This higher rate applies to most Irish applicants and is the figure runners should budget around until the 2026 fees are formally confirmed.

Once accepted through the ballot, payment is taken automatically, so having funds ready is essential.

Other Ways Irish Runners Get a Place

If the ballot does not go your way, there are still options.

• Time Qualification
  Runners who hit the required standards in an eligible marathon or half marathon can claim a guaranteed place during the same February window. Further information about this route can be found here.
• Charity Entry
  Official charity places offer guaranteed entry in return for fundraising. This route is popular with overseas runners who want certainty.
• International Travel Partners
  Approved travel companies offer guaranteed bibs bundled with accommodation and support. These packages cost more overall but remove the stress of the draw.

Get the Credit Card Ready

For Irish runners with an eye on the Big Apple, the next few weeks are about preparation rather than guesswork. Make sure your NYRR account is set up correctly, your details are up to date, and your card can handle the entry fee if that acceptance email lands. Full ballot rules, entry routes and official updates are available on the New York Road Runners website, which is the best place to keep an eye on things as February approaches.

If New York is on the wish list for 2026, this is the moment to get organised and take a proper shot at it.