How to watch London Marathon 2026: Free Streams & TV Channels

The London Marathon 2026 live streams will feature a stellar lineup of the world’s elite long-distance runners tackling the iconic 26.2-mile course, which winds from Greenwich to The Mall, via the famous dry dock, the Cutty Sark, in the UK capital. Alongside defending champions Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa, more than 59,000 runners will pound the tarmac, including former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and Olympian Laura Kenny.

The 29-year-old Sawe claimed victory in 2:02:27 twelve months ago, finishing ahead of Jacob Kiplimo, the half-marathon world record holder, on his marathon debut. The Ugandan will once again expect to contend for a podium place. Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta is the third runner to have gone under the 2:03 mark, while Joshua Cheptegei and Tamirat Tola, the reigning Olympic champions over 10,000m and the marathon respectively, are also in contention. Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, is also set to line up.

Assefa didn’t just win the 2025 women’s race. She broke the women-only world record with a time of 2:15:50. The Olympic and world silver medallist is a supremely consistent performer but will face strong competition from Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, who won in 2021 and finished runner-up last year. Hellen Obiri, an Olympic bronze medallist in Paris, is also expected to challenge.

In the wheelchair events, Marcel Hug is targeting a record-equalling eighth London title after winning last weekend’s Boston Marathon in the men’s race. Fellow Swiss athlete Catherine Debrunner is aiming for a third consecutive title in the UK capital.

There will be no shortage of famous faces among the nearly 60,000 runners either. Former F1 star Vettel, Olympic cyclist Laura Kenny, ex-England cricket captain Alastair Cook, and former champion jockey AP McCoy are all set to take part.

Read on for our guide on where to watch the London Marathon 2026 live streams online, on TV, and potentially for free wherever you are.

BBC iPlayer for UK residents. Remember, though, you must have a TV license.

There are also free live streams from RaiPlay if you live in Italy and RTVE Play for Spanish residents.

In countries where the race hasn’t been picked up by a local broadcasting partner, such as Japan or New Zealand, the Olympic Channel also has coverage without a cost.

This handy guide has a rundown of what broadcasting deals are in place worldwide, meaning you can work out if yours doesn’t via a process of elimination.

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch London Marathon 2026 for free as if you were right at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options.

best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.

FloTrack is showing London Marathon 2026 in the US.

A subscription will set you back $150 per year or $29.99 per month on a rolling basis.

If you’re traveling overseas, don’t worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch your usual service from abroad.

BBC iPlayer in the UK.

On Sunday, the elite race coverage starts at 8.30am on BBC One, before live coverage moves to BBC Two at 2pm.

You can watch throughout on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Remember, you need a TV license to do so.

If you’re traveling overseas, don’t worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch your usual service from abroad.

FloTrack is also showing the London Marathon 2026.

A subscription will set you back US$150 per year or US$29.99 per month. It’s billed in US dollars.

If you’re already a subscriber but you’re outside Canada right now, download a VPN to watch London Marathon 2026 as if you were back at home.

FloTrack is also showing London Marathon 2026 live streams 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 London Marathon 2026 start time?

Sunday, April 26
8.50am – Elite Wheelchairs

9.05am – Elite Women

9.35am – Elite Men

9.35am to 11.30am – Mass Participation Start

(All times BST)

Can I watch London 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 London Marathon on the official social media channels on Instagram (@LondonMarathon) and Facebook (@LondonMarathon).

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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