Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027
RunningChicago, USABank of America Chicago Marathon (Chicago Event Management)
The public entry ballot for Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027 ran 8 Oct 2026 to 29 Oct 2026, with results 8 Dec 2026.
Key facts
- Ballot window
- 8 Oct 2026 to 29 Oct 2026
- Results
- 8 Dec 2026
- Event dates
- 10 Oct 2027 (official)
- Ballot type
- free-entry draw
- Entry cost
- No fee to submit a drawing application (confirmed on the official apply page); the entry fee is charged only when an application is approved or an entry is awarded in the drawing. 2026 rates were USD 250 (US residents) / USD 260 (non-US); 2027 fees are not yet published
- Eligibility
- 16+ on race day; 6:30 course time limit (6:30:59); open worldwide (non-US residents pay a higher fee)
- Ticket prices if you win
- USD 250 US / USD 260 non-US (2026 rates; 2027 TBC)
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Key dates
- Thu, 8 Oct 2026Ballot opensDone
- Thu, 29 Oct 2026Ballot closesDone
- Tue, 8 Dec 2026ResultsNext
- Sun, 10 Oct 2027Event runs
Where it stands
As of 12 Oct 2026
The 2027 application window is published and dated on the official apply page: it runs from 08:00 US Central on Thursday 8 Oct 2026 to 14:00 US Central on Thursday 29 Oct 2026.
Drawing applicants are emailed their result on Tuesday 8 Dec 2026; anyone selected must pay the entry fee and complete registration by 23:59 US Central on Tuesday 15 Dec 2026 or forfeit the place. Guaranteed-entry claims go through the same window and the same form, with their own payment deadline of 23:59 US Central on 10 Nov 2026, and a guaranteed application that fails review is converted into a drawing entry rather than rejected.
Applying costs nothing either way. Runners who apply and miss out can still get in through an official charity or a tour operator.
The marathon qualifying window for a 2027 time qualifier runs 1 Jan 2025 to 29 Oct 2026. Race day is Sunday 10 Oct 2027, the 49th running.
How to enter
Apply at chicagomarathon.com/apply between 08:00 US Central on 8 Oct 2026 and 14:00 US Central on 29 Oct 2026, either with a guaranteed-entry claim (time qualifier, legacy finisher, Chicago Distance Series and the other listed routes) or as a non-guaranteed drawing application. One form carries both routes. Drawing applicants are emailed their result on 8 Dec 2026 and, if selected, must pay the entry fee and finish registration by 23:59 US Central on 15 Dec 2026 or lose the place. Approved guaranteed applicants must pay by 23:59 US Central on 10 Nov 2026.
Your odds
Drawing odds not published and the organizer says the number of drawing entries is not disclosed; a large share of the ~55,000 field (2026 field size per official Dec 2025 press release) goes to guaranteed and program entries: time qualifiers, legacy finishers (5+ Chicago finishes within the last 10 years), Chicago Distance Series, charity entries (USD 2,200 minimum fundraising) and approved international tour operators
Good to know
- The window is three weeks and it is the only way in. Guaranteed-entry claims and non-guaranteed drawing applications both close at 14:00 US Central on 29 Oct 2026, and the official page states guaranteed access is only available during the application window, so a qualifying time is worth nothing if the form is not submitted by then.
- Being drawn is not the finish line. Selected applicants have until 23:59 US Central on 15 Dec 2026 to pay the entry fee and complete registration, and the marathon says anyone who does not is not registered and gets no bib. Approved guaranteed entries have an earlier deadline, 10 Nov 2026.
Quick answers
▸Is there a public ticket ballot for Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027?
Yes. It runs as a free-entry draw. 8 Oct 2026 to 29 Oct 2026.
▸How much does entering cost?
No fee to submit a drawing application (confirmed on the official apply page); the entry fee is charged only when an application is approved or an entry is awarded in the drawing. 2026 rates were USD 250 (US residents) / USD 260 (non-US); 2027 fees are not yet published
▸Who can enter?
16+ on race day; 6:30 course time limit (6:30:59); open worldwide (non-US residents pay a higher fee)