TCS London Marathon 2026: Dates, Entry & Tips

Soon, in the L-Town, one event will take over the entire city for a day. The TCS London Marathon is one of the most electric atmospheres in the sporting calendar - doesn’t really matter whether you’re watching from the sidelines or actually participating in it.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the event this year.

When Is the TCS London Marathon 2026?

The TCS London Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, 26th April 2026. It's the 46th edition of the race and once again expected to draw over 50,000 runners from across the world, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the route through some of London's most iconic landmarks.

Connectivity Tip: If you’re travelling from a different country, consider getting a Travel eSIM. You can skip the hassles that come with traditional SIMs and kiosks queues and enjoy local connectivity with zero roaming.

The Route

The course starts in Greenwich Park and winds through 26.2 miles of London, passing landmarks including Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the Embankment, and finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. It's one of the most scenic marathon routes in the world - which makes it both a brilliant race to run and an equally brilliant one to watch unfold in person.

The London Landmarks Half Marathon also takes place earlier in the year - typically in March and covers a different route through central London for those who want the city marathon experience at half the distance.

London Marathon Entry 2026

The London marathon entry is notoriously competitive. The ballot for guaranteed places opens and closes within a matter of weeks each year, and acceptance rates are low. Alternative routes include running for a charity place, qualifying through a Good for Age time, or entering via an overseas travel package if you're coming from outside the UK.

If you missed the 2026 ballot, we suggest registering your interest early for next year (2027). The ballot will open shortly after each year’s race finishes.

Tracking Runners on Race Day

The event has an official tracker known as the London Marathon tracker and is available through the TCS London Marathon app. It lets spectators follow specific runners in real time just by using their name or number. It's useful for timing when to position yourself along the route - especially at busier spots like Tower Bridge or the Embankment, where crowds build up quickly.

Set up Connectivity App Too: You can download the eSIM Cards app that’s available for both iOS and Android. Download the app, activate your plan, and you're ready before you've even packed your bags.

For International Visitors & Runners

If you're travelling to London specifically for the TCS London marathon - whether to run it or support someone - the city is well set up for visitors. Public transport runs early on race day, though road closures affect large parts of central and south-east London, so it's worth planning your route in advance.

For staying connected throughout the day, an eSIM UK is the simplest option. With providers like eSIM Cards that partners with major UK networks like Vodafone, EE & O2 - you can get internet connectivity that you can depend on.

Planning Your Race Day as a Spectator

Knowing where to stand, how to move between viewing points, and what time to arrive at each spot makes a huge difference to the spectator experience. The London Marathon events surrounding race weekend include the expo at the Excel Centre, charity fundraisers, and community runs that make the whole experience bigger than just the race itself.

The full London Marathon 2026 Spectator Guide covers the best viewing locations along the route, crowd tips, and how to make the most of the day without spending half of it stuck behind barriers with no view.

Ready for the Event That Brings the Whole City Together?

The TCS London Marathon 2026 is more than a race. It's a full city event that's worth experiencing whether you're on the start line or cheering from the crowd. Plan early, sort your connectivity, and enjoy every mile of it.