How do I enter the Tokyo Marathon 2027 ballot?

When exactly does the Tokyo Marathon 2027 ballot open and close?

General entry opens at 11:00 a.m. JST on Friday 14 August 2026 and closes at 5:00 p.m. JST on Friday 28 August 2026, confirmed on the official participants page. Japan Standard Time matters here: 5:00 p.m. in Tokyo is early morning in Europe and the middle of the night in the US, so don't plan on a last-day evening application from another timezone. When you apply within the window makes no difference to your chances; it's a draw, not a race to apply.

How does the draw work and what does it cost?

You apply once through the official entry portal at marathon.tokyo. Entering costs nothing. If you're drawn, you pay JPY 19,800 (domestic) or USD 230 (overseas), which includes the entry fee, handling fee, and tax, between 18 and 30 September 2026. Miss the payment window and your place is gone. There's no fee for unsuccessful applicants at any point.

When do results come out?

General ballot results are announced on 18 September 2026, with payment due from 11:00 JST that day until 17:00 JST on 30 September. If you entered the earlier ONE TOKYO GLOBAL member draw, results land sooner: 1 September, with payment due 1 to 11 September. Full dates and sources are on our Tokyo Marathon 2027 event page.

What are the odds of getting a place?

The Tokyo Marathon Foundation doesn't publish odds. The field is around 40,000 and the general ballot has historically been oversubscribed at roughly 10 to 1 (an unofficial figure), which makes it one of the harder World Marathon Majors to get into by lottery alone. Every application in the window has an equal chance.

Is there an earlier or better route than the general ballot?

Two official ones. ONE TOKYO GLOBAL members get their own draw that runs 31 July to 13 August 2026, before general entry even opens, effectively a second bite if you join and enter both cycles where permitted. And charity entry offers guaranteed places in exchange for a fundraising commitment; the 2027 charity window is nearly over, closing 9 July 2026. A semi-elite route (31 July to 13 August) exists for fast qualifiers.

Who can enter?

Anyone worldwide aged 19 or older on race day (born on or before 7 March 2008) who can finish within 6 hours 30 minutes. There's no qualifying time for the general ballot; the time limit is the only performance requirement.