When is Boston Marathon?

The next Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 19, 2027. The Boston Athletic Association has confirmed this date for the 131st Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America.

When Is the 2027 Boston Marathon?

The 2027 Boston Marathon is scheduled for Monday, April 19, 2027. It will be held on Patriots’ Day, the Massachusetts state holiday observed on the third Monday of April.

The 2027 date has been announced directly by the Boston Athletic Association. It is not an estimated date.

Boston Marathon Dates Through 2035

The Boston Marathon normally takes place on the third Monday of April, matching the established Patriots’ Day calendar. The B.A.A. has individually announced the 2027 race. Dates after 2027 are calculated from this fixed calendar rule and should be checked again when each edition receives its own race announcement.

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth lists Patriots’ Day as the third Monday in April.

Where Does the Boston Marathon Take Place?

The Boston Marathon uses a 26.2-mile point-to-point course beginning on Main Street in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Runners travel east through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton and Brookline before entering Boston.

The final section passes through the city and turns onto Boylston Street. The finish line is near the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.

Newton includes the course’s best-known climbs, with the Newton Hills appearing between approximately miles 17.5 and 21. The route then descends toward Boston College, continues through Brookline and reaches the final turns from Hereford Street onto Boylston Street.

A current route map and on-course service details are available from the B.A.A.’s official Boston Marathon course page.

2027 Race Schedule and Start Times

The exact 2027 start times, wave assignments and corral schedule had not been published as of August 1, 2026. The race normally has separate starts or programs for wheelchair competitors, para athletes, professional runners and the wider participant field.

Individual start assignments depend on the runner’s division, bib number, qualifying information and final B.A.A. race operations. Participants should use the schedule issued for the 2027 edition rather than relying on times from an earlier race.

Road closures begin several hours before runners reach each community. Reopening times differ across Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston. Final closure and transport details are released closer to race day.

How Registration for the 2027 Boston Marathon Works

Qualifier registration dates

Qualifier registration for the 2027 Boston Marathon will run from Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18, 2026. Applications will be submitted through the B.A.A.’s Athletes’ Village platform.

Registration is not first come, first served. Eligible runners may apply at any point during the announced registration window. The application period closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 18, 2026.

Qualifying does not guarantee acceptance

Meeting an age and gender qualifying standard allows an athlete to apply, but it does not automatically secure a place. After registration closes, the B.A.A. verifies results and ranks applicants by how far their submitted time is below the applicable standard.

The times of accepted runners determine the final cutoff. Applicants should therefore submit their fastest eligible result from the qualifying window.

Additional qualifier selection for 2027

A new selection process will be used for the 2027 race. Runners who meet their qualifying standard but miss the final cutoff will automatically be considered for a random selection of approximately 1,000 additional qualifier places.

The likelihood of selection will depend on the number of eligible applications. The B.A.A. expects to send acceptance or non-acceptance decisions by early October 2026.

Downhill qualifying-course adjustments

Qualifying results from courses with a net elevation drop of at least 1,500 feet may receive a time adjustment during registration. A five-minute adjustment applies to eligible courses dropping between 1,500 and 2,999 feet, while a ten-minute adjustment applies between 3,000 and 5,999 feet.

Courses with a net drop of 6,000 feet or more are not accepted for Boston Marathon qualifying purposes. Full standards and registration rules are maintained on the B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon qualifying page.

Do Spectators Need Boston Marathon Tickets?

Spectators do not need a standard admission ticket to watch from the public viewing areas along the marathon route. Space beside the course is available on a first-arrival basis, subject to barriers, security controls, closed sections and local access restrictions.

Hopkinton, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boylston Street often attract dense crowds. Viewers seeking more space can consider sections in Ashland, Framingham or Natick, while checking transport options and road closures before travelling.

The start area in Hopkinton has limited spectator parking. Race-day shuttles, access rules and viewing boundaries may change from year to year.

How to Watch and Track the 2027 Boston Marathon

The television and streaming arrangements for the 2027 race had not been announced as of August 1, 2026. Broadcast times and regional viewing restrictions will be posted closer to April 19, 2027.

The B.A.A. Racing App provides participant tracking, leaderboards, results, course information and race notices. Spectators can search for registered athletes and receive updates as they pass timing checkpoints, subject to the services enabled for the 2027 edition.

Official broadcast links, tracking instructions, spectator restrictions and transport notices will appear on the B.A.A. spectator information page.

Boston Marathon Race-Day Questions

Why is the Boston Marathon held on a Monday?

The race is held on Patriots’ Day, a Massachusetts holiday observed on the third Monday of April. The annual marathon date follows that holiday calendar.

Is the entire race held inside Boston?

No. The course starts in Hopkinton and crosses seven other municipalities before finishing in Boston. Only the closing miles are within the city itself.

Can any runner buy a Boston Marathon entry?

No general public-entry sale is offered. Most athletes enter through the qualifying process, an official charity program, an international tour program or another authorized invitational route.

When will the 2027 wave times be released?

The B.A.A. has not provided a release date for the detailed 2027 start schedule. Bib numbers, corral assignments and wave times are normally published after the participant field has been finalized.

Can spectators move between different parts of the course?

Yes, but road closures and crowded public transport can make some journeys slow. Commuter Rail stations serve several communities west of Boston, while Green Line stations provide access around Newton, Brookline and the final city section. Race-day schedules should be checked before choosing more than one viewing location.