The countdown is officially on for runners hoping to secure a place in the 2027 Irish Life Dublin Marathon, with the public ballot set to open in just seven days.
Applications will open at 9am next Thursday, November 12th, giving runners their opportunity to enter the draw for one of Ireland's most sought after marathon places.
With the excitement of this year's Dublin Marathon still fresh in the minds of thousands of participants, attention is already turning towards next October.
However, securing a place won't necessarily be straightforward. More than 47,000 people applied for the 2026 ballot, and demand is expected to remain substantial.
There are also some important changes for 2027, including an increased entry fee, a refundable ballot charge and expanded options for runners who later need to withdraw.
Here's everything you need to know before applications open.
When Does the 2027 Dublin Marathon Ballot Open?
The public ballot opens at 9am on Thursday, 12 November 2026, and closes at midnight on Tuesday, 17 November.
That gives prospective participants almost six days to submit their applications.
Unlike a traditional race registration, where places are allocated on a first come, first served basis, Dublin Marathon uses a ballot system to distribute general entries.
This means runners do not need to be sitting at their computers the moment applications open.
As long as an application is submitted successfully before the deadline, it can be considered in the draw.
The 2027 Irish Life Dublin Marathon will take place on Sunday, 24 October 2027, with the race beginning at 8.45am on Leeson Street Lower.
How Many Places Are Available?
Organisers have confirmed that the 2027 Dublin Marathon will have an overall capacity of 22,500 runners.
Of those, 17,200 places will be allocated through the public ballot, the same number as in 2026.
The remaining entries will be distributed through alternative routes, including charity places, Good for Age qualification, elite athlete allocations and community programmes.
Demand for places has increased considerably in recent years, with approximately 47,000 applications received for the 2026 event.
That left tens of thousands of hopeful runners disappointed.
The ballot system, introduced for general entries in 2026, is intended to provide a fairer balance between previous Dublin Marathon participants and those hoping to tackle the event for the first time.
How Much Does the 2027 Dublin Marathon Cost?
One of the biggest changes for 2027 is the entry price.
The standard marathon entry fee has increased from €110 to €130, excluding platform and payment processing charges.
It represents the first increase in the race's entry fee in five years.
Dublin Marathon Group has attributed the rise to increasing operational costs, including medical provision, infrastructure, staffing, safety and technology.
The organisation operates on a not for profit basis, with any surplus reinvested into its events, community programmes and financial reserves.
Is the €4 Ballot Fee Refundable?
Yes, and this represents a significant change following criticism of the previous ballot arrangements.
Runners will pay €4 to submit their application, plus platform and payment processing charges.
However, unlike the previous system, unsuccessful applicants will automatically receive their €4 ballot fee back.
For successful applicants, the €4 will instead be deducted from the €130 marathon entry fee.
There is one important distinction.
Platform and payment processing charges are not refundable and will not be deducted from the final entry fee.
Organisers have confirmed that these charges are calculated at 5% of the transaction value, with a minimum €1 processing charge applying to ballot applications.
This means entering the ballot will initially cost €5, of which €4 is refundable if the application is unsuccessful.
The change follows feedback from runners who questioned the nonrefundable charge introduced for the 2026 event.
When Will Ballot Results Be Announced?
According to the organisers' latest entry information, applicants will be notified of their ballot results on Wednesday, November 25th/Thursday, November 25th.
Those fortunate enough to secure a place will have the remaining entry fee automatically charged to their registered payment card between Tuesday, 1 December, and Thursday, 3 December.
Applicants should therefore ensure their payment details are correct and that sufficient funds are available.
Unsuccessful runners will receive their €4 ballot fee back automatically, although the processing charges will not be refunded.
What If You Don't Get a Place?
Missing out in the ballot doesn't necessarily mean giving up on the 2027 Dublin Marathon.
There are several alternative routes into the event.
Charity Entries
Official charity places became available on Monday, 26 October 2026, through the marathon's partnership with realbuzz.
More than 200 charities are participating in the programme, offering guaranteed entries to runners who commit to meeting their fundraising requirements.
Fundraising targets vary depending on the charity.
Good for Age Qualification
Runners who have achieved sufficiently competitive marathon times may qualify through the Good for Age entry system.
The qualifying standards for 2027 will be published on Tuesday, 1 December 2026.
Eligible performances must have been achieved in qualifying races during 2025, 2026 or 2027.
Applications will open on Friday, 7 May 2027, and close on Wednesday, 26 May.
Importantly, achieving the qualifying standard does not automatically guarantee a place. If applications exceed the number available, the fastest qualifying performances in each category will take priority.
Official Resale
Another opportunity will arise in July 2027.
Runners who secure entries but subsequently decide not to participate will have an official refund window from 1 to 12 July.
Returned places will then be made available through an official resale on Wednesday, 14 July, allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The number of places available will depend on how many participants request refunds.
Can You Transfer or Refund Your Entry?
Yes, and organisers have confirmed that the expanded transfer arrangements introduced for 2026 will continue next year.
The official transfer window for the 2027 Dublin Marathon will run from July 21st to September 22nd 2027.
A transfer fee of €20, plus processing charges, will apply.
Runners seeking a refund will have a separate window from 1 July to 12 July, with the same €20 administration fee.
Not all entry types are eligible for transfer or refund. Charity entries, Good for Age places and resale entries are subject to additional restrictions.
Organisers have reiterated that transferring or selling race numbers outside the official system is prohibited and can result in sanctions.
Ordinary deferrals are not permitted, although exceptions exist for pregnancy and postpartum circumstances.
What About the 2027 Dublin Race Series?
For runners looking to build towards next October's marathon, the Irish Life Dublin Race Series will also return in 2027.
The three events are:
- Fingal 10K: Sunday, 11 July 2027, €35
- Frank Duffy 10 Mile: Saturday, 14 August 2027, €40
- Dublin Half Marathon: Sunday, 19 September 2027, €55
Entries for all three events will open on Wednesday, 10 February 2027.
A combined Race Series entry will also be available for €120, excluding processing charges.
These races offer useful opportunities for runners to assess their fitness and prepare for the marathon itself.
How to Enter the 2027 Dublin Marathon Ballot
Applications will be available through the official Irish Life Dublin Marathon website when the ballot opens at 9am on Thursday, 12 November.
Runners should make sure their registration details are accurate, particularly their email address and payment information.
With more than 47,000 applications received for the previous ballot, securing a place in 2027 could once again prove difficult.
But for anyone who watched this year's runners making their way through Dublin and thought about taking on the challenge themselves, next Thursday marks the first opportunity to turn that ambition into a race entry.
