]The 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America takes place on Monday, April 20, 2026. With 30,000 athletes racing 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston, it’s one of the great spectator events in sport. Here’s your complete guide to watching — in person, on TV, or online.
READ MORE: The 2026 Boston Marathon: The Complete Guide
Watch With Marathon Handbook: Live Watchalong
Before anything else — if you want company on race day, come join us. The Marathon Handbook team is hosting a LIVE Boston Marathon Watchalong from 9:00 AM ET on Monday, April 20, presented by Alex Cyr, Michael Doyle, and Katelyn Tocci.
You can join two ways:
- In person at Trident Booksellers — The Stacks (Private Room upstairs), 338 Newbury Street, Boston, just minutes from the finish line. Coffee and pastries provided.
- Online via the Marathon Handbook YouTube channel — a second-screen experience whether you’re also watching the broadcast or can’t make it to Boston at all.
We go live at 9:00 AM ET, about 30 minutes before the elite races begin, and we’ll follow the race all the way through.
Watch On Television
Can’t make it to Boston? Here’s where to catch live coverage:
- WCVB — Live local coverage
- ESPN2 — Live national coverage
- Live international coverage is available — check your local listings
Watching In Person: What You Need To Know
The Boston Marathon course runs 26.2 miles across eight cities and towns — Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston. Each has its own atmosphere, so it’s worth thinking about which stretch suits you best before race day.
Wherever you choose to stand, keep these rules in mind:
- Do not enter the course, run alongside athletes, or impede athletes in any way. Anyone on the course without an official bib or accreditation will be directed to leave immediately.
- Keep the course clear at all times — 30,000 participants need a clear 26.2 miles.
- Download the B.A.A. Racing App (free, iOS and Android) before you go. It has live participant tracking, leaderboards, course maps, weather updates, and checkpoint alerts so you know exactly when your runner is approaching.
ADA-Accessible Viewing
ADA-accessible viewing areas are available near the Finish Line at the corners of Hereford, Ring Road, Fairfield, and Exeter Streets with Boylston Street. Note that the Hynes Convention Center MBTA stop is not accessible on race day.
Sensory-Friendly Viewing Area — Wellesley (~Mile 13.5)
The B.A.A. and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism are co-hosting a dedicated sensory-friendly viewing area at Tolles Parsons Center (500 Washington Street, Wellesley) around mile 13.5. It’s a quieter, less crowded environment welcoming anyone with autism, disabilities, or sensory needs — all behaviors and stims are welcome. RSVP is required via the B.A.A. website. Please avoid loud cheering and noisemakers in this area.
Race Start Times
Here’s the full start schedule from Hopkinton on Monday, April 20:
- 6:00 AM — Military March
- 9:06 AM — Wheelchair Men
- 9:09 AM — Wheelchair Women
- 9:30 AM — Handcycles & Duo Participants
- 9:37 AM — Professional Men
- 9:47 AM — Professional Women
- 9:50 AM — Para Athletics
- 10:00 AM — Wave 1
- 10:15 AM — Wave 2
- 10:28 AM — Wave 3
- 10:41 AM — Wave 4
- 11:01 AM — Wave 5
- 11:21 AM — Wave 6
The professional women typically finish around 2:20–2:30 hours after their wave start, with the men shortly before. The Newton hills between miles 16–21 are where the race is often won and lost — worth being there for if you can.
Road Closures & Timings
Streets along and around the marathon route will be closed to traffic on race day. Plan your travel well in advance — roads won’t reopen until late afternoon at the earliest in Boston.
| City/Town | Road Closes | Estimated Reopening |
|---|---|---|
| Hopkinton | 7:00 AM | 1:30 PM |
| Ashland | 7:00 AM | 1:45 PM |
| Framingham | 7:45 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Natick | 8:30 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Wellesley | 8:30 AM | 4:15 PM |
| Newton | 8:00 AM | 5:30 PM |
| Brookline | 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Boston | 9:00 AM | 7:00 PM |
Parking & Getting There
Due to road closures and congestion, parking near the finish area is not recommended. Public transit is strongly advised. If you do drive, suggested garages in Boston include:
- Garage at 100 Clarendon
- Prudential Center Parking (Huntington Avenue)
- Copley Place Parking (2 Copley Place)
- Boston Common Garage (Charles Street) — note: closed on Marathon Monday morning
Meeting Up With Your Runner After The Race
Make a plan before race day. The Family Meeting Area is on Stuart Street between Berkeley Street and Clarendon Street, with alphabetical signs to help you find your athlete. It takes considerable time for finishers to travel from the finish line to the meeting area — having a race day plan sorted in advance saves a lot of stress.
Safety & Spectator Guidelines
The B.A.A. asks all spectators to stay alert and take an active role in safety:
- Report suspicious conduct or items to the nearest law enforcement officer or call 9-1-1
- Follow directions from public safety officials and volunteers immediately
- Leave drones at home — flight restrictions are in place along the entire course all day
- Be aware that race route changes or pauses can occur due to public safety situations — stay tuned to the B.A.A. Racing App and follow volunteer instructions
The full 2026 Boston Marathon Spectator Guide is available to download at baa.org.
What Else Is On This Weekend
Marathon Monday doesn’t exist in isolation — the whole weekend leading up to it is packed. Check out our full 2026 Boston Marathon Weekend Guide for every pop-up shop, shakeout run, brand event, and party happening across the city from Tuesday through Monday.
And if you’re heading out for a pre-race shakeout run on Saturday or Sunday, join us on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM at the Boston Marathon Finish Line for the Marathon Handbook Low-key Shakeout — 5K or 10K, easy pace, all abilities welcome.
After The Race: Mile 27 Post-Race Party
The official post-race celebration is the Mile 27 Post-Race Party presented by Samuel Adams at City Hall Plaza, running from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Live music, refreshments, and the crowning of champions. Tickets are $10, available on the B.A.A. website. Media credential holders get in free.
Our own Marathon Handbook Watchalong also continues through the morning at Trident Booksellers — come find us after you’ve cheered your runners home.
See you on Boylston Street! 🎽
