When Will London Marathon 2027 Ballot Be Announced

You’ve done it. You’ve entered the London Marathon ballot. Now you’re refreshing emails like a maniac. Checking junk folders. Stalking the official website. Welcome to the club.

The question burning in your brain: When will the London Marathon 2027 ballot be announced? Let’s get straight to the point. We don’t have an exact date yet—but we can make some very good guesses based on history.

The Magic Month: December

Every year, the ballot results drop in December. It’s like a weird Christmas present from the running gods. Sometimes it’s early December. Sometimes it’s right before the holiday panic.

For 2027, expect the announcement between December 1st and December 15th, 2026. Yes, you have to wait over a year. That’s the marathon’s way of testing your patience before your legs do.

Why December? Because London is chaotic. The organizers need to process hundreds of thousands of entries. Then they need to reject most of them. It’s brutal, but it’s beautiful.

The Odds Are Hilarious

Here’s a fun fact: the London Marathon ballot has worse odds than getting into Hogwarts. Seriously. For the 2026 race, over 840,000 people applied. Only about 17,000 got in via the ballot.

That’s a success rate of roughly 2%. You have a better chance of finding a four-leaf clover. Or getting struck by lightning. (Okay, not quite, but it’s close.)

So when you don’t get in, don’t cry. Just remember: you were statistically meant to be disappointed. It’s part of the charm.

The True Pain of Waiting

You’ll hear rumors. Someone’s cousin’s friend “knows a guy” who “heard the date.” Ignore them. The only official source is the London Marathon website and their social media.

On announcement day, your inbox either sings or breaks your heart. The email subject line? Usually something boring like “Ballot Results.” But your heart will race anyway.

If you get a “Congratulations” email, you’ll cry. If you get a “Sorry” email, you’ll eat an entire pizza. Both reactions are completely normal.

What Happens If You Win?

You get to run past Big Ben. Through Tower Bridge. Past the Cutty Sark. And crowds will scream your name—even if they don’t know you. That’s the magic.

You also have to pay the entry fee. It’s about £70 for UK residents. For international runners? It’s closer to £100. Still cheaper than therapy.

But here’s the kicker: you actually have to train. For months. In the dark. In the rain. While your friends post brunch photos. Worth it? Absolutely.

But What If You Don’t?

First, join the club. Most people don’t get in. It’s like a secret society of rejected runners. We have snacks.

Second, try other routes. Charity places are a great option. You raise money for a cause, get a guaranteed spot, and feel like a superhero.

Third, there are Good for Age and Championship entries. If you’re fast, you can bypass the lottery. Run a sub-3-hour marathon or sub-1:30 half? You might be golden.

The Weird Stuff No One Tells You

When the ballot opens, the website usually crashes. It’s a tradition. Thousands of people refresh simultaneously, and the server goes “Nope.”

Also, your application number matters. Some people think lower numbers = higher chances. Spoiler: it’s all random. The computer doesn’t care if you applied at 8:00 AM or 11:59 PM.

And here’s a quirky fact: the London Marathon once sent results via postcard. Yes, actual mail. Now it’s email, but the anxiety is the same.

How to Survive the Wait

Distract yourself. Sign up for a smaller race. Enter the New York Marathon ballot. The odds there are slightly better—like 5% instead of 2%. Still terrible, but progress.

Make a running playlist. Buy new shoes. Watch the 2026 London Marathon on TV. Pretend that’s you. It’s fine to cry during the broadcast. We all do.

Final tip: Don’t check your email every five minutes. Set a calendar reminder for December 1st, 2026. Then go live your life. The email will come when it’s ready.

The Bottom Line

The 2027 London Marathon ballot will be announced in December 2026. Probably between the 1st and 15th. Definitely not before.

Will you get in? Probably not. But that’s okay. The dream, the hope, the ridiculous obsession—that’s what makes it fun. You’re part of a massive, sweaty, slightly insane community.

So mark your calendar. Keep your fingers crossed. And when the email finally comes, whether it’s a yes or a no, remember: the marathon isn’t just about the 26.2 miles. It starts with the wait.

Now go eat that pizza. You earned it.