When is next year’s Dublin Marathon?
Next year’s Irish Life Dublin Marathon will once again be run on the Sunday of the October Bank Holiday weekend, which in 2026 falls on October 25th.
How are ballots being assigned in 2026?
For next year’s race, those wishing to take part must apply via the ballot system which opened at 7am on Wednesday (November 12th). The application system will remain open until midnight on Monday, November 17th.
Applicants will receive notification as to whether they were successful across Tuesday, November 25th and Wednesday, November 26th.
How can I apply?
Applications for the general ballot can be submitted on the Dublin Marathon website, with one entry allowed per person.
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There’s a €5 administration fee to enter, which will be deducted from the €110 entry fee if you’re successful in securing a spot but is non-refundable if you’re unsuccessful.
How is this system different from past Dublin Marathons?
In past iterations, previous participants were given early access to secure a ballot, leading to around 70 per cent of the field being made up of runners who had already run in the event.
Hoping to encourage more first-timers and strike “a fairer balance between previous participants and newcomers”, organisers have opted to adopt the general ballot system for 2026, with all hopeful participants applying during the same seven-day window.
However, a certain number of entries will continue to be reserved for elite athletes and ‘Good for Age’ qualifiers, as well as charity places and community programmes.
What if I miss out on the ballot this time around?
All is not yet lost. If you don’t get a spot in the general ballot you can set your hopes on the refund and transfer windows.
Those who secure a spot in the general ballot will have the chance to give up their place and receive a refund from July 1st to July 12th, and these ballots will be made available. And for anyone wanting to transfer their ballot to someone else, the transfer window will be open from July 22nd to August 30th.
Also, if you would like to raise funds for one of the event’s official charity partners – there are over 150 of them, so you’re sure to find a worthy cause – you can apply for a charity place.
As always, swapping or transferring race numbers outside the official transfer window is strictly prohibited.
