The London Marathon is set to break new ground in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, marking a historic expansion that will accommodate up to 100,000 runners over the weekend of April 24–25. This temporary change aims to address the overwhelming demand seen in recent years, as evidenced by over 1.3 million entries in the public ballot. Despite the increase in available spots, the likelihood of obtaining a place remains slim, with chances still below 10%.
Organizers anticipate that this enlarged marathon will generate more than £150 million for charity, positioning it as the largest fundraising event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the marathon is expected to deliver approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits. The enhanced format underlines the event’s significant impact beyond just the realm of sports.
The schedule over the weekend will be carefully organized to include various races. The first day will feature the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” women’s categories, alongside a mass participation event of nearly 50,000 runners. On the second day, the elite men’s race will take the spotlight, complemented by another large-scale mass participation event.
Participants are restricted to competing on just one day of the marathon weekend, and the results of the ballot are expected to be released in early July. This special two-day format is intended as a unique celebration for 2027, after which the London Marathon plans to revert to its traditional single-day format for future races.