Updated: 11/2025

As of 2025, the Abbott World Marathon Majors currently include seven races:

Tokyo • Boston • London • Sydney • Berlin • Chicago • New York City.

Each race has its own entry system — there is no universal way to get in. This guide breaks down each Major individually, including entry methods, typical deadlines, qualifying standards, and best strategies.

Note: For Cape Town, which is expected to join the Majors around 2027, official entry rules are not yet public. We will update this page when they are released.

🇯🇵 Tokyo Marathon 2026 Entry: Lottery, Qualifying Times & Charity

Race Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026. Fun Fact: 🍜 Most Competitive Entry: Yes — The Tokyo Marathon lottery is highly competitive for international runners.

Entry Methods:

• General Lottery / Ballot — General lottery open August 15 – August 29, 2025. (Official Entry Schedule)

• ONE TOKYO Membership — Early ballot for members (August 1 – August 14, 2025). Cost is 30,000 JPY. (ONE TOKYO GLOBAL)

• Semi-Elite (Run As One) — Application open August 1 – August 14, 2025. (Official Entry Requirements)

• Charity Entry — Donation application open June 24 – July 9, 2025. Minimum donation starts at 100,000 JPY. (Charity Page)

• Tour Operators — Guaranteed entry via Official International Travel Partners (ITP). (Official ITP List)

Qualifying Standards (Semi-Elite Overseas):

• Men: Sub 2:28:00 (Gun Time)

• Women: Sub 2:54:00 (Gun Time)

• (A very limited number of slots, historically ~25 per gender, are available for international runners via time qualification.)

Tips:

• Charity Entry and Tour Operators offer the only guaranteed paths to the starting line.

• The ONE TOKYO membership (early ballot) is the best way to increase your odds in the marathon lottery.

• The general lottery is very difficult (historically <10% acceptance).

🇺🇸 Boston Marathon 2026 Entry: Qualifying Times & Charity Slots

Race Date: Monday, April 20, 2026 (Always on Patriots' Day). Unique Fact: No general lottery — Entry is exclusively based on Boston Marathon Qualifying (BQ) times, or through charity/tour programs.

Entry Methods:

• Time Qualification (BQ) — Must achieve a BQ time on a certified course run between September 1, 2024, and September 12, 2025. Registration was September 8–12, 2025. (Official B.A.A. Qualify Page) - note: there are time adjustments for downhill courses!

• Charity Entry — Guaranteed entry by pledging to raise a minimum fund for one of the Official Charity Partners (typically $12,500+ USD). (Official Charity List)

• Tour Operators — International travel packages offer guaranteed entry. (Official ITP List via B.A.A. site)

2026 Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards (BQ Times) The standards were tightened by 5 minutes for age groups 18-59 for the 2026 race. All times are Net Time (Chip Time):

Tips:

• Aim for a Buffer: Achieving the BQ standard does not guarantee entry. For the 2026 race, the acceptance cut-off was 4 minutes, 34 seconds faster than the published standard.

• Charity is Guaranteed: Charity entries provide the only guaranteed, non-BQ path to the starting line.

• New Downhill Rule (2027): Be aware that for the 2027 Boston Marathon and beyond, the B.A.A. announced they may apply time adjustments to qualifying times run on certain net-downhill courses. (B.A.A. News)

🇬🇧 London Marathon 2026 Entry: Ballot, Good For Age & Charity

Race Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026. Fun Fact: 🏰 Most Competitive Entry: Yes — The London Marathon ballot is known globally for being the most subscribed.

Entry Methods:

• Public Ballot (Lottery) — General ballot closed on May 2, 2025. Results were announced in June 2025. (Official Ballot Page)

  • Tip: UK residents can choose a Donation Option (£49.99) upon entry to receive a second chance in a subsequent ballot if unsuccessful in the first.

• Good For Age (GFA) Entry — Guaranteed entry for UK residents only who meet specific qualifying times. Places are capped at 6,000 and allocated on a "fastest-first" basis.

  • Application window: October 2 – October 30, 2025. (Official GFA Page)

• Championship Entry — Requires specific, very fast times (e.g., Sub 2:38:00 for men) and UKA membership. Applications typically close in November. (Official Championship Entry Info)

• Charity Entry — Guaranteed entry by committing to a fundraising minimum (typically £1,500 – £2,500+). Applications are highly competitive and often open from June onward. (Example Charity Page)

• Tour Operators — Available for international runners only, guaranteeing entry via package. (Official International Participants Page)

2026 London Marathon Good For Age (GFA) Qualifying Times

Qualifying window is October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Only available to UK residents.

Tips:

• Lottery Odds: The acceptance rate is extremely low (historically 2–4%), but the double-entry option for UK residents increases the chance.

• GFA is Competitive: Meeting the GFA time is not a guarantee; aim to run several minutes faster than the standard to increase your chances of being selected on a "fastest-first" basis.

• Charity is Guaranteed: Charity places are the most viable option for international and UK runners who did not qualify by time or win the ballot.

🇦🇺 Sydney Marathon 2026 Entry: Ballot, HPP & Charity

Race Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026. 🌞 Unique Fact: Sydney officially joined the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2024. This will be the second race as a certified Major.

Entry Methods:

• Public Ballot (Lottery) — The primary entry method. The 2026 ballot was open September 24 – October 17, 2025. Results were announced October 29, 2025. (Official Ballot Page)

• Charity Entry — Guaranteed entry by securing a spot with an Official Charity Partner (minimum fundraising typically starts around $4,000 AUD / $2,700 USD). (Charity Program Info)

• High Performance Program (HPP) — Guaranteed entry for fast amateur runners who meet specific time standards. Applications are closed once the limited spots are filled.

• Tour Operators — Guaranteed entry via Official International Travel Partners (ITP) for international runners. (Official Travel Partners)

• Candidacy Club Entry — Guaranteed entry for runners who participated during the Candidacy years (2022-2024) and chose 2026 as their preferred race year.

2026 Sydney Marathon High Performance Program (HPP) Times:

Qualifying times must have been achieved in an AIMS-certified marathon since July 1, 2024. This is a priority entry program; acceptance is based on the fastest applicants in each category until spots are filled.

Tips:

• Growing Interest: Global interest has increased massively since becoming a Major. Plan entry strategies well in advance.

• HPP is Competitive: Meeting the HPP standard only makes you eligible; the actual cut-off time may be significantly faster, depending on the number of applicants.

• Guaranteed Entry: Charity and Tour Operators offer the only guaranteed ways to secure a spot if you miss the ballot or HPP.

🇩🇪 Berlin Marathon 2026 Entry: Lottery, Time Qualification & Guaranteed Entry

Race Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026. 🇩🇪 Fun Fact: Most Competitive Entry: Yes — The Berlin Marathon lottery is highly competitive globally, but the acceptance rate is often better than London or Tokyo.

Entry Methods:

• Public Lottery / Ballot — The main entry method for most runners (domestic and international).

  • Registration Period: September 25 – November 6, 2025. (Official Lottery Page)

  • Results Announced: End of November 2025.

• Time Qualification (Guaranteed Entry) — Guaranteed entry for fast runners who meet the required qualifying times (see table below). This option is open to all runners worldwide.

  • Time must have been run in 2024 or 2025 in an AIMS-certified marathon.

• Charity Entry — Guaranteed entry via a charity partner with a minimum fundraising commitment (typically €1,000 – €2,500+). (Official Charity Info)

• Tour Operators — Guaranteed entry is available through Official International Travel Partners (ITP). (Official Tour Operators)

• Jubilee Club — Guaranteed entry for runners who have completed the Berlin Marathon 10 times or more.

2026 Berlin Marathon Time Qualification Standards

Runners who meet these standards receive guaranteed entry, avoiding the lottery. The standards are the same for German residents and international runners.

Tips:

• Time Qualification is Reliable: Berlin is unique among the Majors—meeting the time standard guarantees entry (unlike the highly competitive "fastest-first" model used by London and Boston).

• No German Resident Priority: There is no separate entry category for German citizens; all runners, domestic and international, must use the same ballot or time qualification methods.

• Lottery Odds: The lottery acceptance rate is typically better than Tokyo or London (often around 50–60%).

🇺🇸 Chicago Marathon 2026 Entry: Lottery, Time Qualifiers & Charity

Race Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026 🏙️ Fun Fact: Most Competitive Entry: Yes — The Chicago Marathon lottery is highly popular and competitive, but guaranteed entry paths are numerous.

Entry Methods:

• Non-Guaranteed Entry Drawing (Lottery) — CLOSED. The application window closed November 18, 2025. Results were announced December 11, 2025.

• Time Qualification (Guaranteed Entry) — Guaranteed entry for runners meeting the Age Group Qualifying Standards (see table below).

  • Window: Qualifying time must have been run between January 1, 2024, and November 18, 2025.

  • Status: This entry path closed with the application window on November 18, 2025. (Official Apply Page)

• Charity Entry — Guaranteed entry via an Official Charity Partner. Fundraising minimum is typically $2,200 USD (can be higher for specific charities).

  • Window: Entries are available on a first-come, first-served basis until September 15, 2026, or until capacity is reached. (Official Charity Program Info)

• Legacy Finisher — Guaranteed entry for runners who have completed the Chicago Marathon five or more times in the last 10 years (2015–2025).

• Distance Series Finisher — Guaranteed entry for individuals who complete the full 2025 Chicago Distance Series (Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Chicago 13.1, and the 2025 Marathon).

• Tour Operators — Guaranteed entry is available through Official International Travel Partners (ITP). (Official Tour Operators)

2026 Chicago Marathon Time Qualification Standards

Runners who achieved these net times during the qualifying window had access to a guaranteed entry.

Tips:

• Current Strategy: Since the lottery and time qualification application periods are closed, the Charity Program is the most reliable way to secure a spot for the 2026 race.

• Guaranteed Entry: Chicago's Time Qualification is a guaranteed entry (like Berlin), not a competitive application (like Boston/London).

• Entry Fees: U.S. residents pay $250 USD; non-U.S. residents pay $260 USD.

🗽 New York City Marathon 2026 Entry: Lottery, Time Qualifiers & 9+1

Race Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026. 🍎Most Competitive Entry: Yes — Fun Fact: The NYC Marathon drawing has one of the lowest acceptance rates, often 2–4%.

Entry Methods:

• Non-Guaranteed Entry Drawing (Lottery) — Open to all runners (split into NYC-local, U.S. National, and International pools).

  • Application Window: February 4 – 25, 2026.

  • Results Announced: March 4, 2026. (Official Drawing Page)

• 9+1 Guaranteed Entry Program — Guaranteed entry for NYRR (New York Road Runners) members who:

  • Complete nine qualifying NYRR races in 2025.

  • Volunteer at one official NYRR event in 2025.

  • Must have an active membership as of December 31, 2025. (Official 9+1 Program)

• Time Qualification (TQ) — This is a two-tiered system:

  • NYRR Races: Guaranteed entry if the time standard is met at an eligible 2025 NYRR race (marathon or half marathon).

  • Non-NYRR Races: Limited, non-guaranteed entry for those who meet the time standard at an outside certified marathon. If applications exceed capacity, a faster cutoff time will be applied (Boston-style).

    • Non-NYRR TQ Application Period: February 4 – 11, 2026. (Official TQ Page)

• Charity Entry — Guaranteed entry by committing to a fundraising minimum (typically $2,500 – $5,000+ USD depending on the charity). Charities begin opening spots from October 2025 onward. (Official Charity Program)

• Tour Operators — Guaranteed entry is available for non-U.S. residents through Official International Tour Operators (ITP).

2026 New York City Marathon Time Qualification Standards

Runners who meet these standards are eligible to claim (NYRR race) or apply for (non-NYRR race) guaranteed entry. Half-Marathon times only apply if run at an eligible NYRR race. Non-NYRR marathon times are limited and highly competitive.

Tips:

• Half-Marathon Qualification: The half-marathon standards (e.g., 1:21:00 for M18-34) only apply if the time was achieved at an eligible NYRR-hosted race.

• Non-NYRR Time Cutoff: The most important detail: for outside marathons, meeting the standard is not a guarantee—you must often run significantly faster than the listed time to secure a spot. In 2025, the cutoff was approximately 13:20 faster than the age-graded time.

• Best Guaranteed Route: The 9+1 Program is the most reliable path for local/regular NYRR runners.

🏁 Final Notes & Strategic Runner Tips

Entering a World Marathon Major requires as much planning as the race itself. The key to success lies in proactive strategy: track deadlines now, as most ballots open 9–12 months before race day, meaning you must plan multi-year. If you're not aiming for a fast qualifying time, remember that Charity and Tour Operator packages offer the only reliable guaranteed entry paths. For those pursuing time qualification, ensure your results are achieved on AIMS or USATF certified courses and keep those certified results ready to submit. Approach the entry process with the same dedication you bring to your training, and you will greatly increase your chances of reaching one of these iconic starting lines.