London Marathon 2-Day Event: All You Need to Know

The London Marathon has announced one of the biggest changes in its history: In a one-off format change, the 2027 event will take place across two days, creating what is being referred to as the “London Double”.

The move comes as demand for the world’s most popular marathon continues to reach unprecedented levels. With hundreds of thousands of runners applying through the London Marathon ballot each year and growing interest from international participants, organizers have introduced the new format to allow significantly more runners to experience this iconic event.

As the Official International Tour Operator for the London Marathon, Sports Tours International welcomes this exciting development, which is set to create more opportunities for runners from around the world to take part in one of the world’s most sought-after marathon events.

For runners, charities, and marathon travelers alike, the announcement opens up exciting new possibilities while preserving everything that makes the London Marathon one of the world’s most iconic races.

What the London Marathon Double-Day Format Means for Runners

The biggest benefit of the new format is increased capacity.

By expanding the event across Saturday and Sunday, the London Marathon is expected to increase participation from around 50,000 runners to approximately 100,000 runners across the weekend. This would make it one of the largest marathon events in the world.

Organizers have also indicated that elite races will be split across the two days, with men’s and women’s elite fields competing separately. This approach could provide greater visibility for elite athletes while creating two distinct days of world-class racing.

For everyday runners, however, the most important change is simple: more places and more opportunities to take part in one of the world’s most iconic marathons.

How Could This Affect Charity Places and Ballot Entries?

Ballot Entries

The London Marathon ballot has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with demand far exceeding available places. While organizers have not yet confirmed how entries will be allocated, the larger field size should create more opportunities for runners hoping to secure a place through the ballot.

Demand is likely to remain extremely high, but the expansion could improve runners’ chances of gaining entry compared to previous years. Everyone who has already applied for 2027, will be entered into a ballot for both days.

Charity Places

The London Marathon is also one of the UK’s largest fundraising events, raising millions of pounds for charitable causes every year.

The expanded event could allow charities to access additional places, enabling more runners to fundraise and helping charities generate even greater support. London Marathon believes that more than £150m can be raised for charitable causes. For many participants, charity places remain one of the most popular routes into the event, and the new format may create increased opportunities across a wider range of causes.

Potential Impacts on Travel and Accommodation Planning

The move to a two-day London Marathon will also change how runners plan their race weekend.

Rather than everyone arriving for a single race day, participants will now be spread across Saturday and Sunday, creating more flexibility around travel and accommodation arrangements.

Runners may choose to arrive for their specific race day or extend their stay and enjoy the atmosphere across the entire marathon weekend. The additional flexibility could help spread hotel demand across multiple nights and potentially increase accommodation availability compared with previous years.

However, London Marathon weekend will remain one of the busiest periods in the city’s sporting calendar. Hotels close to the start and finish areas are still expected to be in high demand, meaning early booking will remain important, particularly for international visitors.

For overseas runners, having travel, accommodation and race logistics arranged in advance will continue to provide valuable peace of mind.

What Can Runners Expect From the Event from 2027 Onwards?

While the format is changing, the essence of the London Marathon is not.

Runners can still expect the incredible atmosphere, world-famous landmarks, and unrivaled crowd support that have made the event a bucket-list marathon for decades.

The two-day structure is designed to accommodate more participants without compromising the quality of the race experience. In fact, many runners may find the expanded format creates an even bigger festival atmosphere, with celebrations and race activities taking place across an entire weekend.

The London Marathon has always been about bringing runners together from around the world, and the London Double aims to make that experience accessible to even more people.

What Does This Mean for the Marathon Course?

Although operational details will continue to be confirmed in the lead-up to 2027, runners can expect the famous London Marathon course to remain at the heart of the event.

The route through the capital is one of the most recognizable marathon courses in the world, taking participants past iconic landmarks before finishing on The Mall.

Any changes are expected to focus on race operations and participant flow rather than altering the character of the course itself. The goal of the two-day format is to increase participation while preserving the experience that has made the London Marathon famous worldwide.

For runners, that means the opportunity to enjoy the same unforgettable journey through the streets of London, now as part of an even bigger marathon weekend.

Not familiar with the London Marathon route? Check out our guide, as Sports Tours Ambassador shares course highlights and race day tips.

What Does This Mean for Sports Tours International and Our Customers?

As the Official International Tour Operator for the London Marathon, Sports Tours International is perfectly positioned to help runners take advantage of the opportunities created by the new format.

The increase in participant numbers should allow more runners from around the world to experience the London Marathon, while the two-day structure creates greater flexibility when planning travel and accommodation.

For our customers, this means more options, more flexibility, and the reassurance of travelling with a team that has decades of experience delivering marathon travel packages to major events worldwide.

Whether you’re traveling from overseas or looking for a stress-free race weekend, our team will continue to provide expert support from the moment you book until you cross the finish line.

Run the London Marathon with Sports Tours International

When booking your London Marathon trip with Sports Tours International, you’ll benefit from a package designed specifically for marathon runners.

Depending on your chosen package, inclusions may include:

• Guaranteed London Marathon entry
• Carefully selected central hotel accommodation
• Dedicated Sports Tours International team support throughout your stay
• Pre-race information and guidance
• The biggest London Marathon after-party
• The confidence of travelling with the Official International Tour Operator
• Plus much more!

With thousands of runners traveling with us every year, we understand what it takes to create a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable marathon experience from start to finish.

Find out more about or London Marathon packages here:

London Marathon Packages