The Boston Marathon is arguably the toughest of the World Marathon Majors due to its uphill segments, most famously Heartbreak Hill, and the Massachusetts rain and chill being forecasted for Monday – Patriots’ Day – are only going to up the ante.
Reigning men’s champion John Korir has also returned to New England, where he’ll line up alongside fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto, who reigned supreme in New York. The 2024 New York winner Abdi Nageeye and 2024 Berlin winner Milkesa Mengesha are also in the running, as is Alphonce Felix Simbu, who secured a memorable second-place finish in Boston a year ago by edging a three-way sprint to the line.
In the men’s wheelchair race, Marcel Hug goes for a ninth Boston title – and fourth in a row – while fellow Swiss Manuela Schar goes for her fifth title here in the women’s event.
Eagle-eyed viewers may also want to keep an eye out for Love Island: Beyond the Villa season 2‘s infamous Bryan Arenales. Rumor has it he’s trying to outrun his responsibilities. He’ll be one of 30,000 runners taking on the 26.2 mile course.
Read on for our guide on where to watch Boston Marathon 2026 live streams online, on TV and potentially for free wherever you are.
Can I watch Boston Marathon 2026 for free?
The 2026 Boston Marathon is free-to-air on the Olympic Channel in countries where the race hasn’t been picked up by a local broadcasting partner, such as Japan.
This handy guide will let you work out eligibility by process of elimination.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch Boston Marathon 2026 for free as if you were right at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options.
How to watch Boston Marathon 2026 using a VPN
A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it’s back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.
How to watch Boston Marathon 2026 live streams in the US
In the US, the Boston Marathon is being shown on ESPN2.
If you don’t have the channel on cable, it’s available through Sling.
Alternatively, you can live stream Boston Marathon 2026 via ESPN Select, which costs $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year.
Visiting the US from Japan? Use NordVPN to watch the Olympic Channel’s free Boston Marathon coverage.
How to watch Boston Marathon 2026 live streams in the UK
Boston Marathon 2026 is being shown on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
To access TNT Sports you’ll either need to add it to your TV package or take out a standalone subscription via HBO Max, which launched in the UK on March 26. The best-value streaming package is £25.99/month on a 12-month term. Discovery+ subscriptions have automatically been ported over.
You’ll also have access to the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football, plus Tour de France cycling, rugby, wrestling, UFC and MotoGP.
If you’re traveling overseas, don’t worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch your usual service from abroad.
How to watch Boston Marathon 2026 live streams in Canada
In Canada, the Boston Marathon is being shown on TSN4.
You can also live stream it via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
If you’re already a subscriber but you’re outside Canada right now, download a VPN to watch Boston Marathon 2026 as if you were back at home.
How to watch Boston Marathon 2026 live streams in Australia
FloTrack is showing Boston Marathon 2026 in Australia.
A subscription will set you back US$150 per year or US$29.99 per month. It’s billed in US dollars.
Not in Australia? Use NordVPN to tap into your usual race coverage from anywhere if you’re away from home.
What is the Boston Marathon 2026 start time?
Monday, April 20
9.06am – Wheelchair men
9.09am – Wheelchair women
9.30am – Handcycle & duo
9.37am – Professional men
9.47am – Professional women
9.50am – Para athletes
10am – Wave 1
10.15am – Wave 2
10.28am – Wave 3
10.41am – Wave 4
11.01am – Wave 5
11.21am – Wave 6
(All times ET)
What is the Boston Marathon 2026 prize money?
The Boston Marathon purse totals $1,484,500 in 2026, with $150,000 earmarked for the winners of each of the men’s and women’s races.
The runners-up get $75,000, third is worth $40,000, fourth $25,000, fifth $18,000, sixth $13,500, seventh $10,500, eighth $8,500, ninth $7,000 and 10th $5,500.
Is the Boston Marathon the oldest marathon?
The Boston Athletic Association markets the Boston Marathon, which was inaugurated in 1897, as the longest-established race of its kind.
However, the modern marathon was established in Athens a year earlier, in 1896, at the first international Olympic Games.
Can I watch Boston Marathon 2026 on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with the Boston Marathon on the official social media channels on Instagram (@TeamBAA) and Facebook (@BAA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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