The Fall 2026 World Marathon Majors: Dates and Race-Week Guide
Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York remain on the 2026 calendar—but entry, travel, weather, and race-week decisions differ sharply.
Lars Vinter12 min read
In This Story
In This Story
Key Takeaways
- The remaining 2026 Majors are Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
- The verified dates are August 30, September 27, October 11, and November 1.
- Main entry windows are largely closed; Chicago's charity route may still have capacity, but its tour application deadline has passed.
- Registered NYC runners should note the August 25 opening and September 8 deadline for transportation selections.
- This late in the season, logistics, fueling rehearsal, tapering, and weather planning matter more than adding fitness quickly.
Four Abbott World Marathon Majors remain in 2026 after Tokyo, Boston, and London: Sydney on August 30, Berlin on September 27, Chicago on October 11, and New York City on November 1. For most runners, general-entry windows are already closed. The useful question now is how to prepare, travel, spectate, or use official charity and tour channels without mistaking a confirmed race for open registration.
Research cutoff
August 19, 2026
Race dates are confirmed, but entry inventory and participant instructions can change. Use each organizer's current page before paying or traveling.
| Compare | Date | What matters now |
|---|---|---|
| TCS Sydney Marathon | August 30, 2026 | Race-week logistics and spectating; too late for a new build |
| BMW Berlin Marathon | September 27, 2026 | Lottery closed; verify official tour options and September athlete instructions |
| Bank of America Chicago Marathon | October 11, 2026 | Standard entry closed; official charity places may remain, while the tour application deadline has passed |
| TCS New York City Marathon | November 1, 2026 | Drawing closed; registered runners face transportation and bag-selection deadlines |
Sydney: August 30
Sydney is the newest member of the Majors and the first remaining race. At this point, registered runners should use official participant communication for bib collection, start access, transport, hydration, and course changes. Spectators should account for extensive road closures and rely on public transport guidance rather than trying to drive along the course.
Berlin: September 27
Berlin's official site confirms September 27 and notes that the main lottery ran from September 25 to November 6, 2025. Official tour operators may offer secured entry packages depending on market and inventory. Registered runners have until August 27 to change an eligible best time for starting-group allocation, according to the organizer's race-day information.
Chicago: October 11
Chicago's standard application is closed. Official charity entries may remain until September 15 or capacity, while the published tour-program application window ended August 16. The current runner schedule places professional wheelchair starts from 7:20 a.m., the elite field at 7:30, and mass waves from 7:35; all operational times remain subject to change.
New York City: November 1
NYRR confirms November 1. The non-guaranteed drawing closed in February, but charity and international tour pathways may have their own inventory. For registered runners, transportation, bag pre-check, and expo selections open August 25 and the transportation selection deadline is September 8 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
How to use the remaining runway
- Keep the final long runs proportional to the training already completed
- Practice the exact carbohydrate and fluid plan instead of changing products at the expo
- Review start transport, bag rules, bib collection, and prohibited items on the official site
- Build a weather range into clothing and pacing decisions
- Book flexible travel where possible and avoid arriving so late that one delay becomes a missed start
- Give spectators a small number of realistic meeting points rather than an impossible cross-city itinerary
Do not confuse Majors and candidates
The 2026 elite series has seven races. Cape Town completed its assessment and is set to host its first Major in 2027, according to AbbottWMM's current Majors page. Shanghai's December race has also been discussed through a candidacy process, but it should not be presented as one of the seven 2026 Majors.
Frequently Asked
What World Marathon Majors are still coming in 2026?
Sydney on August 30, Berlin on September 27, Chicago on October 11, and New York City on November 1.
Can you still enter the 2026 Chicago Marathon?
The standard application is closed. Official charity places may remain until September 15 or capacity. The published official tour-program application deadline was August 16.
Is Cape Town a World Marathon Major in 2026?
No. AbbottWMM currently says Cape Town will host its first Major in 2027 after completing assessment in 2026.
Is Shanghai a 2026 World Marathon Major?
No. Shanghai has been part of the candidacy pathway, but it is not one of the seven races in the 2026 Majors series.
Sources
The Weekly
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