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[ Wire ] · Dispatch · Sep 07

Sydney Marathon 2027 Ballot: Dates, Odds, and How to Enter

The TCS Sydney Marathon has officially confirmed the dates and entry mechanics for its 2027 ballot. As the newest member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Sydney expects another record-breaking field for its third edition as a full Major. If you are planning to run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the finish line at the Sydney Opera House, you will need to register during the three-week ballot window.

The general ballot for the 2027 Sydney Marathon opens on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and closes on Monday, October 19, 2026. Applying for the lottery is entirely free, and successful runners will be notified on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

What are the key Sydney Marathon 2027 ballot dates?

The official organizer has confirmed the following timeline for the 2027 cycle:

  • Ballot opens: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM AEST.
  • Ballot closes: Monday, October 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM AEDT.
  • Results delivered: Thursday, October 29, 2026, via email.
  • Race day: Sunday, August 29, 2027.

Successful applicants will have their credit cards charged immediately upon selection. Domestic entry costs AU$280, while international entrants are charged AU$330.

What are the odds of winning the 2027 Sydney ballot?

The acceptance rate is expected to hover around 30%, which still represents the most favorable odds of any major marathon lottery. For the previous 2026 race, more than 123,000 runners applied for a target field of 40,000, resulting in a published acceptance rate of roughly 32.5%.

While this is down from the 44.3% odds seen during Sydney's debut Major-status ballot in 2025, it is still significantly higher than other races in the series. For comparison, the Berlin Marathon has a 20% acceptance rate, Chicago has a 25% drawing rate, and the New York City Marathon lottery drops to roughly 1%.

If you want to visualize how these single-year odds compound over multiple attempts, you can test your luck on the Marathon Ballot Simulator.

How can you guarantee entry without the lottery?

If you want to skip the random draw entirely, you have three guaranteed routes:

1. Priority entry times: Runners who hold a verified sub-2:53:00 marathon time (men) or sub-3:13:00 time (women) in the open age bracket can claim a priority entry spot. Standards ease progressively for older age brackets. You can verify your eligibility on the qualification checker. 2. Charity entries: Official charity partners offer guaranteed bibs in exchange for a fundraising target, which typically starts around AU$1,500. 3. International travel operators: Official tour partners package guaranteed entries with hotel accommodation and race-week packages.

How to prepare for the 2027 window

General ballot registration must be completed on the official organizer's portal during the active window. Applying early does not influence your chance of selection, as long as you complete your entry before the October 19 deadline.

To ensure you do not miss the start or end of the registration window, you can sign up for free Sydney Marathon alerts, which send direct email notifications before key calendar deadlines.

Sources: TCS Sydney Marathon, Sydney 2026 ballot results

Sources TCS Sydney Marathon