The Paris Marathon has unveiled a new registration system for its 2027 edition, and runners’ response has been spectacular. Nearly 166,000 athletes from 165 countries have signed up for the first bib-number draw in the history of the race, a figure that confirms the enormous interest surrounding one of the world’s most important marathons (although it is not among the Majors; the only European dates are Berlin and London).
The change comes after Cadence Running United took over as the new organizer, replacing the traditional first-come registration system with a lottery. The bib will also carry a fixed price of 169 euros, compared with the previous model, where the cost climbed as the registration window progressed.
Although the final number of participants has not yet been officially confirmed, indications suggest that the 2027 edition will feature around 60,000 runners. If that figure holds, there will be roughly three applicants for every bib available.
International anticipation is enormous. Applicants come from 165 countries, and about 14,000 have registered by forming groups of two to six runners. One of the lottery’s features is that if one member of the group is selected, all of their teammates also receive a spot.
The results are being communicated progressively by email, and the selected runners have only 72 hours to confirm their participation and complete the payment. The organizers have recommended also checking spam folders to avoid missing the bib.
For those who are not lucky, there will still be alternatives. The official resale platform will open on December 1, and it will also be possible to obtain a charity bib by committing to raise at least 420 euros for a charitable cause.
The event will take place on April 4 next year and will be especially meaningful as it marks the 50th edition of the Paris Marathon. The start and finish lines will remain on the Champs-Élysées, though the course will be completely renewed and will not be revealed until early 2027.