Runners hoping to take on the 2027 Berlin Marathon can now enter the ballot, with applications open until Thursday November 12th, 2026. The race will take place on Sunday September 26th, 2027.
The general entry fee is €215, but it is only charged if an applicant receives a place. Ballot results will be sent by email on Thursday December 3rd, with payments due to begin automatically the following day.
There is also a new name above the start line. Following a change of title sponsor, the 2027 race will officially be known as the Generali Berlin Marathon.
When Does the Berlin Marathon Ballot Close?
The ballot opened yesterday, October 1st and will remain open until Thursday November 12th. The official registration page does not currently give a closing time for general ballot applications, so it would be sensible not to leave an entry until the final hours.
Applications are made through a personal SCC Events user account on the official Berlin Marathon registration page. Places are allocated by random draw, so entering early does not improve a runner's chances.
Applicants must have been born in 2009 or earlier. Walkers can take part if they remain within the event's time limit, but Nordic walking is not permitted. The overall time limit is 6 hours and 15 minutes.
How the Ballot Works
Applicants can enter in one of three categories: as an individual, as part of a team of two or three people, or as a fast runner with a qualifying marathon time. The choice made during registration is final and cannot be changed afterwards.
Each applicant must provide payment information when registering. A confirmation email should arrive within 24 hours, but that only confirms entry into the draw and is not an offer of a race place.
Every applicant will receive their result by email on Thursday December 3rd. The emails will be sent throughout the day, so some runners may hear later than others. It is worth checking the spam folder as well as the main inbox.
Successful applicants do not need to return to the website to buy their place. The €215 entry fee will be charged automatically from Friday December 4th using the payment method supplied during registration. The transaction may take up to one week to appear, depending on the bank.
If a payment fails, a new payment method can be added through the runner's account and the organiser says the race place will not be affected.
Can Friends Enter Together?
Yes. Teams of two or three runners can enter the ballot together. The first person creates the team and receives a code, which must be given to the other members before they register.
Each runner still needs their own user account, application and payment details. The team code must be entered during registration and cannot be added later.
If the team is selected, every member receives a race place. Each person runs and appears in the results individually, and one member withdrawing after the draw does not affect the others. A replacement runner cannot be added.
Is There a Qualifying Time Route?
There is a fast runner category, but it is important to note that meeting the qualifying time does not guarantee a place. Applicants must upload proof of their age and an eligible marathon result from 2025 or 2026. Half marathon times, results from other distances and virtual races are not accepted.
The result must come from an official marathon that forms part of the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings, is certified by AIMS or is listed by USATF.
The qualifying standards are:
- Men born from 1981 to 2009: 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Men born from 1968 to 1982: 2 hours 55 minutes.
- Men born in 1967 or earlier: 3 hours 25 minutes.
- Women born from 1981 to 2009: 3 hours 10 minutes.
- Women born from 1968 to 1982: 3 hours 30 minutes.
- Women born in 1967 or earlier: 4 hours 20 minutes.
The organiser will review the evidence and send the decision with the ballot results. If the proof is not accepted, the application will move into the general draw.
How Much Does Berlin Marathon Entry Cost?
The standard race entry costs €215. There is no separate fee listed for entering the ballot, and the race fee is only taken from applicants who receive a place.
The price includes race entry, timing, pacemakers, a downloadable personalised finisher certificate, massage services and a four day public transport pass for zones A, B and C. It also includes a finish line poncho.
Runners who want to leave clothing at the start can choose a clothing bag service instead of the poncho for an extra €5. That choice must be made during registration and cannot be added later.
Standard entry fees are not refundable, and places cannot be sold, transferred to another runner or moved to another year. Optional race cancellation insurance can be bought during registration, but it cannot be added afterwards. A separate pregnancy policy allows an entry to be postponed for up to three years when the required medical evidence is supplied.
Other Ways to Get a 2027 Berlin Marathon Place
Missing out in the ballot does not close every route into the race.
Charity Entry
Official charity partners offer guaranteed places in return for a fundraising commitment. The organiser's partner network includes more than 150 charities, with options for runners from the UK, the United States and other countries. Fundraising targets and any additional costs are set by the individual charity.
Official Tour Operators
Authorised tour operators sell travel packages that usually include a guaranteed race place and accommodation, with some packages also covering flights or other travel arrangements. The programme has partners in more than 50 countries, and places may remain available after the public draw has finished.
Jubilee Club
Runners who have successfully completed the Berlin Marathon at least 10 times can apply to join the Jubilee Club. Members in the running category receive access to a guaranteed place each year.
Jubilee registration for the 2027 race closes on December 31st, 2026. Membership and race places are personal and cannot be transferred.
Previous Year Vouchers
Runners who received a 2027 code through the organiser's goodwill arrangement after being unable to race previously can redeem it until 11:59pm CET on November 12th, 2026.
Age group winners aged 40 and over from the previous edition are also awarded a free entry for the following year and receive their access information directly from the organiser.
What Else Is Confirmed for Race Day?
The 2027 Generali Berlin Marathon takes place on Sunday September 26th. The start is on Straße des 17. Juni, between the Brandenburg Gate and Kleiner Stern. The first running wave is currently scheduled for 8:45am, with later waves following during the morning. The schedule remains subject to change.
Race packs must be collected in person at the Marathon Expo using the runner's start card and photo identification. The four day public transport ticket included with entry will cover Berlin zones A, B and C from September 23rd to 26th.
2027 Berlin Marathon Ballot: Key Dates
- Thursday October 1st, 2026: Ballot opened.
- Thursday November 12th, 2026: Ballot closes.
- Thursday December 3rd, 2026: Ballot results sent by email.
- From Friday December 4th, 2026: Entry fees charged automatically to successful applicants.
- Thursday August 26th, 2027: Final day to update a personal best in the runner account, currently listed as 11:59pm CET.
- Sunday September 26th, 2027: Generali Berlin Marathon.
Runners can enter the draw and read the full conditions on the official 2027 Berlin Marathon registration page.
