Berlin Marathon Lottery is Open: Have You Thrown Your Hat Into the Ring?

Lottery registration for the 2027 Berlin Marathon is now open, giving runners around the world a chance to secure a spot in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons.

Known for its fast and flat profile and for being a course where personal bests are recorded, the Berlin Marathon is a popular choice for both elite runners and hobbyists around the world.

Generali Deutschland Berlin Marathon Overview

The lottery window opened officially on October 1 and runs until November 12, 2026, with results set to be announced on December 3, 2026.

The Generali Deutschland Berlin Marathon, one of the original six Abbott World Marathon Majors, is getting a new title sponsor for 2027. Previously sponsored by BMW, Generali, the second-largest insurance group in Germany, takes over those duties in 2027. 

Here are some of the important dates to put on your calendar if you’ll be gripping your lucky rabbit’s foot between crossed fingers.

• Registration opens: October 1, 2026
• Registration closes: November 12, 2026
• Results announced: December 3, 2026
• Entry fees charged: December 4, 2026
• Race takes place: September 26, 2027

The Berlin Marathon is one of the world’s most sought-after races. As we’ve covered in recent marathon lottery pieces, the recent explosion in the popularity of running has seen odds of selection decrease.

With an estimated minimum of 100,000 annual applicants to the Berlin Marathon, odds are estimated to be in the 13% range. SCC Events, the organizer of the Berlin Marathon, does not publish actual numbers, but third-party organizations have estimated these numbers.

Race registration fees for those selected will be roughly $241 USD (215 Euros with the exchange rate as of October 2026), with a small additional fee for optional bag drop.

Other Entry Options If You Are Not Selected In The Lottery

With such slim odds of being selected, that leaves many runners out in the cold, so to speak. But there are alternate means of entry for those determined to run Berlin.

Fast runners with a qualifying time will be put into a separate pool from which they’ll be drawn. Provided you’ve run your qualifying time in 2025 or 2026, and in an official race that is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Rankings, certified by AIMS, or listed by USATF, you’re eligible for this smaller applicant pool. Here are the qualifying times by age group.

Qualifying Times for Women

• Age 18-45: 3:10:00
• Age 46-59: 3:30:00
• Age 60+: 4:20:00

Qualifying Times for Men

• Age 18-45: 2:45:00
• Age 46-59: 2:55:00
• Age 60+: 3:25:00

You’ll be asked to provide a valid finisher’s certificate as proof. For those whose proof cannot be verified, they will be put into the general lottery pool.

And of course, there will be options to run for charity, which does grant guaranteed entry to the race. Potential runners will have 172 charity options to choose from, so no matter your passion or favorite cause, you’ll most likely have an avenue to contribute.

One additional option is to get in through the Tour Operator Program. Of course, the cost will be significantly higher, but travel and accommodations are included.

While the potential for a personal best marathon time is an intriguing draw to Berlin, those with an appreciation or an interest in world history get to traverse a formerly divided city, now united, while doing a sport that unites us all who choose to do it.

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