Live streams from the 2026 London Marathon will feature an exceptional line-up 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 British capital. Alongside reigning champions Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa, more than 59,000 riders will hit the tarmac, including former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and Olympian Laura Kenny.
Sawe, 29, took victory in 2:02:27 twelve months ago, edging out half-marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo in his marathon debut. The Ugandan will once again be expected to challenge for a place on the podium. Ethiopian Deresa Geleta is the third runner to have gone under the 2’03” mark, while Joshua Cheptegei and Tamirat Tola, reigning Olympic champions in the 10,000m and marathon respectively, are also in the running. Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, is also expected to line up.
Assefa not only won the 2025 women’s race. She broke the women’s world record with a time of 2:15:50. The Olympic and world silver medalist is an extremely consistent performer, but she will face strong competition from Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei, who won in 2021 and finished second last year. Hellen Obiri, Olympic bronze medalist in Paris, is also expected to take up the challenge.
In the wheelchair events, Marcel Hug is aiming for a record eighth title in London after winning the men’s Boston Marathon last weekend. Her compatriot Catherine Debrunner is aiming for a third consecutive title in the British capital.
Among the approximately 60,000 runners, there will be no shortage of famous faces either. Former F1 star Vettel, Olympic cyclist Laura Kenny, former England cricket captain Alastair Cook and former champion jockey AP McCoy are all set to take part.
Read on for our guide to where to watch London Marathon 2026 live streams online, on TV and potentially for free, wherever you are.
Can I watch the 2026 London Marathon for free?
The 2026 London Marathon is broadcast free on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for UK residents. Remember, however, that you must have a TV license.
There are also free live streams of RaiPlay if you live in Italy and RTVE reading for Spanish residents.
In countries where the race was not picked up by a local broadcast partner, such as Japan or New Zealand, the Olympic Channel also has no-cost coverage.
This handy guide provides an overview of current broadcast deals around the world, meaning you can determine if yours doesn’t through a process of elimination.
Are you traveling abroad at the moment? You can use a VPN to watch the 2026 London Marathon for free as if you were at home. NordVPN is our top pick among the options.
How to watch the 2026 London Marathon using a VPN
A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear to be in your home country, so you can unblock your usual service. The best VPN at the moment? We recommend NordVPN – it does it all and offers up to 75% off.
How to watch 2026 London Marathon live streams in the US
FloTrack presents the 2026 London Marathon in the United States.
A subscription will cost you $150 per year or $29.99 per month on an ongoing basis.
If you are traveling abroad, don’t worry, you can use NordVPN to attend your usual service from abroad.
How to watch London Marathon 2026 live streams in the UK
The 2026 London Marathon is broadcast on BBC One, BBC two And BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom.
On Sunday, coverage of the elite races begins at 8.30am on BBC One, before live coverage airs on BBC Two at 2pm.
You can watch the full thing on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Remember that you need a TV license to do this.
If you are traveling abroad, don’t worry, you can use NordVPN to attend your usual service from abroad.
How to watch 2026 London Marathon live streams in Canada
In Canada, FloTrack also features the 2026 London Marathon.
A subscription will cost you US$150 per year or US$29.99 per month. It is billed in US dollars.
If you are already a subscriber but are currently outside of Canada, download a VPN to watch the 2026 London Marathon as if you were at home.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 London Marathon in Australia
FloTrack also broadcasts live streams of the 2026 London Marathon in Australia.
A subscription will cost you US$150 per year or US$29.99 per month. It is billed in US dollars.
Not in Australia? To use NordVPN to access your usual racing coverage from anywhere if you’re away from home.
What is the start time for the 2026 London Marathon?
Sunday April 26
8:50 a.m. – Elite wheelchairs
9:05 a.m. – Elite Women
9:35 a.m. – Elite Men
9:35 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Start of mass participation
(All times BST)
Can I watch the 2026 London Marathon on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters offer streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or through your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up to date with London Marathon news on the official social channels on Instagram (@LondonMarathon) and Facebook (@LondonMarathon).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
