London Marathon Events (LME) is reportedly exploring the possibility of expanding the TCS London Marathon into a two-day event, potentially as early as the 2027 or 2028 editions. The move would represent a significant shift for the Abbott World Marathon Majors event, which has been held on a single Sunday since its inception in 1981.
A news report by The Guardian suggests that the expansion is being considered to accommodate the record-breaking demand for places. A world record-breaking 1,133,813 people from the UK and across the globe applied in the public ballot for an entry to the 2026 TCS London Marathon.
This ballot total shattered the previous world record ballot of 840,318, which was set for the 2025 TCS London Marathon. London Marathon Events (LME) noted that this surge in ballot applications represented a 36% increase year on year and nearly double the total applications for the 2024 TCS London Marathon (578,304).
The 2026 event will remain a single-day competition on April 26, 2026. If the proposal moves forward for 2027 or 2028, it would mark the biggest structural change to the race since the introduction of the virtual London Marathon during the pandemic.
A two-day format would potentially see the mass participation field split across Saturday and Sunday. According to reports, one option under discussion involves moving the professional elite races and a portion of the mass field to Saturday, with the remainder of amateur runners competing on Sunday.
This structure would mirror the approach taken by other large-scale endurance events that have moved to a two-day format to manage increasing participant numbers.
The potential event expansion would, however, present significant logistical challenges for the city of London. Hugh Brasher, Event Director at London Marathon Events, has previously noted the complexity of closing major London roads and the impact on the capital’s transport network.
In a statement to the BBC regarding the reports, a spokesperson for London Marathon Events reportedly said “The London Marathon is the world’s most popular marathon, and we are continually exploring innovative ways to enable more people to take part, while delivering positive benefits for London. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are looking at the intention for the 2027 London Marathon to take place across two days.
“Our immediate focus is on delivering an incredible 2026 London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April and ensuring every participant has an amazing experience.”
The potential change arrives as the event continues to see a surge in popularity with large ballot numbers again expected for the 2027 eventl. Proponents of the two-day model suggest it could nearly double the capacity, allowing more of the hundreds of thousands of unsuccessful ballot applicants to participate.
However, LME has not yet made a formal commitment to the change. Any move to a two-day schedule would require extensive consultation with the Mayor of London’s office, Transport for London, and the various borough councils along the 26.2 mile route.
