World Marathon Majors · checked Oct 25, 2026

How to get into all 8 Majors

Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, New York and now Cape Town. Here's when each one opens, your real odds, and every way in besides the lottery.

Race2027 race dayEntry windowStatus
ChicagoOct 10, 2027Oct 8 – Oct 29, 2026Open now
BerlinSep 26, 2027Oct 1 – Nov 12, 2026Open now
SydneyAug 29, 2027Sep 29 – Oct 19, 2026Closed
New YorkNov 7, 2027*2027 dates not announced yetExpected Feb
TokyoMar 7, 2027Aug 14 – Aug 28, 2026Closed
BostonApr 19, 2027Sep 14 – Sep 18, 2026Closed
LondonApr 24–25, 2027Apr 24 – May 1, 2026Closed
Cape TownMay 22–23, 20272027 ballot closedClosed
Chicago
Chicago, USA
Open now
Race dayOct 10, 2027
Entry windowOct 8 – Oct 29, 2026
OddsAbout 1 in 4 in recent drawings
Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Open now
Race daySep 26, 2027
Entry windowOct 1 – Nov 12, 2026
OddsAbout 1 in 5
Sydney
Sydney, Australia
Closed
Race dayAug 29, 2027
Entry windowSep 29 – Oct 19, 2026
OddsAbout 1 in 3 in the 2026 ballot
New York
New York, USA
Expected Feb
Race dayNov 7, 2027*
Entry window2027 dates not announced yet
OddsVery low
Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
Closed
Race dayMar 7, 2027
Entry windowAug 14 – Aug 28, 2026
OddsAbout 1 in 10
Boston
Boston, USA
Closed
Race dayApr 19, 2027
Entry windowSep 14 – Sep 18, 2026
OddsYou have to qualify
London
London, UK
Closed
Race dayApr 24–25, 2027
Entry windowApr 24 – May 1, 2026
OddsVery low for the public ballot
Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Closed
Race dayMay 22–23, 2027
Entry window2027 ballot closed
OddsNew to the Majors

The calendar in one sentence

Ballots open in race order a year ahead: Tokyo in August, Boston qualifiers in September, Sydney, Berlin and Chicago in the fall, New York in February, and London the week of its own race in April. Miss one and you wait a full year.