Paris Marathon 2027: lottery, route & spectator tips for the 50th edition

Why this edition is different

Two big firsts for 2027: it's the 50th edition, and ASICS takes over as title sponsor (you'll see it called the ASICS Marathon de Paris; it was the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon before). Even bigger for runners: general entries are allocated by lottery for the first time, replacing the old first-come-first-served scramble. Applying was free, and the day you applied made no difference to your odds.

The first lottery results went out on October 1, 2026: winners have 72 hours to confirm and pay, or the bib goes to someone else. Here's everything that matters for 2027.

If you won the lottery: do this now

Selected runners have 72 hours from their notification to confirm and pay. Miss it and the bib goes to someone else. The email says it plainly: complete your registration before the deadline or lose the spot.

• Confirm and pay €169 (≈$191) for the general-entry bib, flat price, no early-bird tiers this year.
• French federation license holders get 5% off; have your license details ready.
• Charity entries work differently: raise at least €420 (≈$475) for a partner cause plus an €85 (≈$96) registration fee.
• Check the name on the bib matches your ID exactly. You'll need ID at bib pickup.

All prices in euros; dollar figures are approximate at about €1 = $1.13 (September 2026).

The route: Paris at its most beautiful

The 2027 course hasn't been published yet, but the Paris Marathon route barely changes year to year, and it's famously one of the most scenic in the world: the start on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, down past the Louvre and along the Rue de Rivoli, along the banks of the Seine past Notre-Dame, out to the Eiffel Tower, through the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, and back for the finish near the Arc de Triomphe. Around 50,000–60,000 runners take part, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the course.

For Louvre fans: the museum sits almost directly on the route in the early kilometers, one more reason the area is worth knowing well.

Watching the race: a spectator's guide

You don't need a ticket to watch. The entire course is free to spectators. The best plan is to pick one or two spots rather than chasing runners across the city, because road closures make moving around hard.

• Champs-Élysées (start): the most electric atmosphere, but the most crowded. Arrive very early.
• The Louvre / Rue de Rivoli: a beautiful backdrop and slightly thinner crowds than the start.
• Eiffel Tower: the classic photo spot; runners pass with the tower behind them.
• Finish near the Arc de Triomphe: emotional, packed, and the hardest to get close to.

Getting around on race day: expect major road closures across central Paris from early morning. The Métro is the only sane way to move, so check the official site closer to race day for station closures near the course. If you're staying central, walk to your viewing spot.

Tracking runners: the official race app offers live runner tracking so you know when your person is approaching your spot. Download it before race weekend.

Race-week practicalities

• Bib pickup is at the pre-race expo in the days before the marathon. You must collect it in person with ID. Exact 2027 expo details will be published on the official site.
• Where to stay: anywhere along Métro lines 1, 6, or 9 gives you easy access to both the start and finish areas. Book early. 50,000 runners plus their families fill central Paris.
• The day before: keep it simple. The area around the Louvre and the Tuileries is perfect for a shakeout jog and a calm, carb-friendly dinner.
• Flying in: if you're coming from outside Europe, give yourself at least two full days in Paris before the race to shake off jet lag.

Training timeline: six months to go

From early October, it's roughly six months to the start line, the classic marathon buildup window. If your base is already there, a 16–18 week plan starting in December works. If you're building from scratch, start now: aerobic base through autumn, structured plan from the new year. Whichever plan you follow, the non-negotiables are the same: one long run a week, most miles easy, and at least one 30+ km run three to four weeks out.

The bottom line

A 50th edition, a new sponsor, a first-ever lottery, and a route that runs past the Louvre. 2027 is a special year to run Paris. If you got the selection email: confirm before your 72 hours are up. And if you're coming to watch, the Louvre stretch of the course is one of the finest places to stand.