NEWS / LONDON 2027 BALLOT
London Marathon 2027 Ballot Results: When You Find Out and What Happens Next
The 2027 race is a one-off two-day Double across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April. Here is when ballot results land, how your race day gets decided, and what to do whether you are in or out.
The short version
- Ballot results for the 2027 TCS London Marathon are announced in early July 2026 by email and through your official entry account.
- If you get a place, you are randomly assigned either Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 April 2027. You do not choose your day, and you cannot run both in person.
- In or out, the smartest move is to start training now. A structured plan from Edge gets you race ready whichever day you draw.
The wait is nearly over. A record 1.33 million people entered the ballot for the 2027 TCS London Marathon, and now everyone is asking the same thing: when do the results come out, and what happens if I get in? This guide answers both, plus everything you need to know about the unusual two-day format, your randomly assigned race day, and the routes still open if the ballot does not go your way.
When do the London Marathon 2027 ballot results come out?
Ballot results for the 2027 TCS London Marathon are announced in early July 2026. Organisers contact every entrant, whether successful or not, so you will hear either way. There is no single fixed minute published in advance, so the honest answer to "what date exactly" is early July rather than a guaranteed day.
If you entered the ballot, watch your inbox closely through the first part of July. Results tend to arrive in a window rather than all at once, so do not panic if a friend hears before you. The official account also posts confirmation once results are live.
How will you find out if you got a place?
You find out two ways. First, by email to the address you used when entering the ballot. Second, through your official entry account, where your result is shown once announcements go live. The official London Marathon account also confirms publicly when results have been released.
A few quick checks so you do not miss the news:
- Make sure the email address on your entry is current.
- Check your spam and promotions folders, since result emails can land there.
- Log in to your entry account directly rather than waiting on email alone.
Random Saturday or Sunday assignment, explained
2027 is different. For this one year, the race becomes a two-day Double held across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, with 100,000 runners taking part over the weekend. Successful ballot runners are randomly assigned to either the Saturday or the Sunday. You do not get to pick your day.
This is a deliberate one-off for 2027. From 2028 the event returns to a single day. So if you are in, your result will tell you not just that you have a place, but which of the two days you are running.
What to do the day you find out you are in
Congratulations are in order, and so is a short to-do list. Once your place is confirmed:
- Note your assigned day. Check whether you are on Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 April and lock both the date and travel around it.
- Complete any entry steps. Follow the instructions in your confirmation to secure the place fully.
- Book the essentials. Sort travel and accommodation early, since two race days means more people moving around London that weekend.
- Count back your training weeks. Work out how long you have until race day and start a structured plan straight away. Use the countdown tool further down to do this in seconds.
The 2027 race also has the National Autistic Society as its Charity of the Year, and the event keeps its Abbott World Marathon Majors status, so your finish still counts toward the Majors.
Saturday vs Sunday: what we know
Because the day is assigned at random, you cannot choose between Saturday and Sunday, and you cannot swap to run on both in person. What you can do is run a virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay on the other day if you want the full weekend experience. That lets you cover the distance your way while your official place stays on your assigned day.
For training, the practical takeaway is simple. Both days fall on the same April weekend, so a single training block prepares you for either. Plan as if you are racing on the Saturday, and you are equally ready if you draw the Sunday.
What if you missed out in the ballot?
With 1.33 million entries chasing a limited number of ballot places, plenty of strong runners will miss out. The good news is that the ballot is only one way in. If you are unsuccessful, these routes remain open:
- Charity places. Run for a cause and raise a sponsorship target in return for a guaranteed place.
- Good for Age. Qualify by running a fast enough time for your age group.
- Championship entry. For club runners who hit the championship qualifying standard.
- Club places. Allocated through affiliated running clubs.
- Tour operator packages. Travel and entry bundles, useful if you are coming from further afield.
If any of these appeal, start preparing now. A charity place still needs the same months of training, and a Good for Age or Championship route needs a qualifying race in the diary.
Deferring or transferring your place
Plans change, so it is worth knowing your options once you have a place. Always follow the official terms attached to your entry for the exact rules, deadlines and any fees, as these are set by the organisers and can vary year to year.
As a general principle, ballot places are personal to you and cannot simply be handed to a friend. If you cannot run, check your entry account for the official process rather than passing your number on informally, which is not permitted. When in doubt, the instructions in your confirmation email are the source of truth.
Start training now, whatever your result
Here is the part you can control. Whether you are confirmed for April, chasing a charity place, or planning to enter again, the marathon distance rewards runners who start early and build steadily. Most first-time marathoners want around 16 to 20 weeks of structured training, and even experienced runners benefit from a clear block rather than winging it.
Use the countdown tool below to see how many weeks sit between today and race day, and the date your plan should start.
Interactive
Training countdown to race day
Pick your assigned day, your experience level, and today's date. We will show the weeks to race day and when to start your plan.
How Edge helps you get to the start line
Edge is built for exactly this moment, when you have a date and need a plan you can actually stick to. Here is what you get:
- A coach-built plan within 24 hours, then enhanced by Edge AI to fit your goal.
- A native Apple Watch training app so your sessions are on your wrist, not just your phone.
- Structured workouts pushed to both Garmin and Coros, with completed sessions imported back in.
- Flexi Swap to move sessions around your week when life gets busy.
- Edge AI for 30-second answers, plus the option to speak to real coaches.
- General strength and mobility work, progress tracking, and lean voice prompts to keep runs on target.
Edge has 17,000+ UK members and comes with a free 7-day trial, then £19.99 per month or £119.99 per year. Making fitness feel good for everyone is the whole idea, so the plan adapts to your life rather than the other way around.
Key dates and facts at a glance
- Ballot results: early July 2026, by email and via your entry account.
- Race weekend: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, a one-off two-day Double.
- Runners: 100,000 across the two days, from a record 1.33 million ballot entries.
- Your day: randomly assigned, no choice, no running both in person.
- Other day: virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay available.
- From 2028: the event returns to a single day.
- Charity of the Year: National Autistic Society. Majors status unaffected.
The bottom line
Ballot results land in early July 2026, delivered by email and through your entry account. Get in, and you will be randomly placed on Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 April 2027, with a virtual option for the other day. Miss out, and charity, Good for Age, Championship, club and tour operator routes are still on the table. Either way, the runners who start a structured plan now are the ones who turn up in April ready to enjoy it.
Frequently asked questions
When are the London Marathon 2027 ballot results announced?
Results are announced in early July 2026. Every entrant is contacted by email and can also see their result in their official entry account.
How will I know if I got into the London Marathon 2027?
You will receive an email to the address used for your entry, and your result will appear in your official entry account. The official account also confirms when results go live.
Can I choose whether I run on the Saturday or Sunday?
No. Successful runners are randomly assigned either Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 April 2027. You cannot pick your day and cannot run both in person.
Why is the 2027 London Marathon held over two days?
2027 is a one-off two-day Double, with 100,000 runners split across Saturday and Sunday. From 2028 the event returns to a single day.
Can I run both days in person?
No. You run in person on your assigned day only. If you want to take part on the other day too, a virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay option is available.
What are my options if I did not get a ballot place?
Charity places, Good for Age, Championship entry, club places and tour operator packages all remain open routes into the 2027 race.
Does the 2027 race still count toward the World Marathon Majors?
Yes. The event keeps its Abbott World Marathon Majors status, so your finish counts whichever day you are assigned.
How long should I train for the London Marathon 2027?
Most first-time marathoners use a 16 to 20 week block, while experienced runners often work to 12 weeks. With results in July 2026, there is ample time to build steadily before April 2027.
