The Sydney Marathon is gearing up to open its ballot for the 2026 edition, giving runners around the world their shot at Australia’s only Abbott World Marathon Major. The race will take place on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with entries now being accepted through a randomized lottery system.
The ballot is live at 10am AEST on Wednesday, September 24, and will remain open until 11:59pm AEDT on Friday, October 17.
Unlike some marathons where early clicks can make or break your chances, Sydney’s process is designed to be fair, with every application given an equal shot regardless of when it’s submitted.
Applicants will be notified of the result by email on October 29, while those in the High Performance Program will hear one day earlier. Successful runners will have their entry fee charged at the same time.
Those who miss out will still have the option of securing a bib through travel packages or charity entries.
The demand is expected to be fierce.
In 2025, when Sydney made its debut as a World Marathon Major, more than 80,000 people entered the ballot, and 35,000 runners from 156 countries were ultimately selected. That marked a record for participation in Australian road running and underlined how quickly the event has grown. In 2022, just over 5,000 runners toed the line, and by 2024, the figure had jumped to 20,000 finishers.
Part of the draw is the course itself.
If the route remains the same as in 2025, runners will start in North Sydney, surge over the Harbour Bridge, wind through Pyrmont, Barangaroo and The Rocks, before stretching down Anzac Parade and finishing in front of the Opera House. That closing kilometre has already become one of the sport’s most iconic images, a world-famous landmark at the end of a 42.195 km journey.
Sydney’s inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors has also elevated its status for both elites and amateurs.
For professional athletes, the race now offers another stage to test themselves against the best in the world. For everyday runners, it has become a must-do event for anyone chasing the six-star medal that comes with completing all of the Majors.
And for those who supported the event during its candidacy years between 2022 and 2024, entry is guaranteed for one of the first three editions as a Major, depending on the preference they indicated.
With the ballot now live, Sydney joins the likes of Boston, London and Berlin as a city where gaining entry is nearly as competitive as running the race itself. For many, though, that moment of crossing the Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Opera House is worth the wait.
