BMW Berlin Marathon
- 26 September 2027
- Berlin, Berlin
One of the six World Marathon Majors, with around 50,000 runners finishing at the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin hotels regularly sell out that weekend, so early booking pays off.
Source: https://www.visitberlin.de/en/node/2262876 · Checked 2026-10-08
What the Berlin Marathon is
The BMW Berlin Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, the group of the world's biggest city marathons. According to our event data, around 50,000 runners take part and finish at the Brandenburg Gate. The 2027 edition is listed as confirmed for Sunday 26 September 2027, a single race day, with a full weekend of side events around it.
The route is known for being flat, which is why many fast times are run in Berlin. For spectators and visitors it is also a city event: streets are closed, bands play along the route and thousands of supporters line the course. The date is confirmed, but entry rules, start times and road closures are published by the organiser, so check the official site before planning travel.
Dates and the weekend programme
The race is on Sunday 26 September 2027. Marathon weekends in Berlin usually have a programme on Saturday as well, with events such as a breakfast run and a skating race. Check the official calendar for exact details in 2027, since the side events can change.
The marathon has no multi-day structure: the main race starts on Sunday morning and the last finishers cross the line in the afternoon. If you are a spectator, plan to be on the course early, because streets close well before the start and crossing the route is restricted.
Character of the race and the city
The course winds through the city centre, passing districts of both the former West and East Berlin, and ends at the Brandenburg Gate, one of the best-known landmarks in Germany. The atmosphere is supportive and international, with runners from many countries and crowds that shout for runners of all speeds.
Berlin has plenty to see for the days before and after: the Reichstag with its glass dome, the Museum Island, the Holocaust memorial, the East Side Gallery and the large parks such as the Tiergarten. After a marathon, light walking is easier than long sightseeing, so plan your museum visits before race day or the day after.
Food, rest and recovery
Runners often eat carbohydrate-heavy meals the evening before, and Berlin has plenty of Italian restaurants for this. For spectators and runners after the race, Berlin's street food and bakeries are good options, and cafés near the finish area fill up. We do not quote prices.
Sleep and hydration matter more than any special meal. If you are running, keep your normal routine, choose familiar food and avoid trying new things the day before. If you are a spectator, bring water and layers: late September weather in Berlin can change quickly between sunny and cool.
Getting there and where to stay
Berlin has direct rail links to Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Leipzig and Dresden, and an international airport. Within the city, the S-Bahn and U-Bahn carry most visitors, and the organiser often provides information on transport on race day, so check the official site. Cars are a poor choice because of road closures.
Hotels in Berlin are regularly booked out on marathon weekend, according to the event description, so book as early as you can. Staying close to the start and finish areas, or near an S-Bahn line, simplifies race-morning logistics.
Public holidays, bridge days and vacation days in Berlin
The race is on Sunday 26 September 2027, and there is no public holiday around it in Berlin. The national holiday on 3 October 2027 falls on a Sunday a week later, so it does not create an extra day off. A trip from Friday 24 September to Monday 27 September costs 2 vacation days, or only 1 if you arrive on Friday evening and return on Sunday night.
A typical marathon trip is Friday to Monday: take the Friday off to collect your start pack and get used to the city, run on Sunday and rest on Monday. If you also want to explore Berlin, add Tuesday 28 September for a total of 3 vacation days. A day trip on race day itself needs no vacation days at all.
Tips and who it suits
The marathon suits runners, supporters and anyone who enjoys big sporting events in a major city. It is less suitable for those who want a quiet city weekend, since many roads are closed and public transport is crowded. Entry for runners is controlled by the organiser's registration process, so check the official site well ahead for deadlines and rules.
Spectators should choose a spot with good access to the S-Bahn, bring a flag or sign for a runner, and agree a meeting point with friends. Runners should collect their start numbers on time and read the organiser's information about luggage and baggage rules.
Add to your calendar
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Open the Vacation Planner for Berlin in 2027 to see the bridge-day opportunities around these dates.
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Written and maintained by Basaveswara Rao. Last reviewed on October 10, 2026.