Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced that New York City will give away 350 free tickets to the TCS New York City Marathon Grandstand, giving New Yorkers a front-row seat to the finish line of the city's biggest race.
On Sunday, November 1, nearly 60,000 runners will take on the marathon, traveling 26.2 miles across all five boroughs from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to Central Park, uplifted by more than 2 million spectators and fans. The Grandstands stretch along the final 200 meters of the course, offering New Yorkers a chance to cheer runners on as they make their way to the finish line.
New Yorkers can enter the drawing - which is being operated in partnership with New York Road Runners (NYRR) - for free grandstand tickets at on.nyc.gov/2026marathon until October 26 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be notified shortly afterward and can receive up to two tickets.
"On November 1, tens of thousands of runners will wake up before the sun and travel to Staten Island to start the New York City Marathon. Years of training and practice will pay off as runners cut across all five boroughs, crank up their music and cross the finish line in Central Park. Every one of them deserves a crowd ready to cheer them home. That's why we're giving away 350 free tickets to the grandstands at the end of the race," said Mayor Mamdani. "Sports belong to the people, and we're making sure New Yorkers can experience the special joy of the New York City Marathon."
"The TCS New York City Marathon is the ultimate celebration of New York City, bringing together runners and spectators from all five boroughs and around the world in a powerful display of community and the human spirit," said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. "As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon's five-borough course, we're thrilled to partner with Mayor Mamdani and the City of New York to give more New Yorkers the opportunity to experience the magic of Marathon Sunday from the finish line. There's nothing quite like witnessing the determination, joy and emotion of runners crossing that finish line, and we're excited to give more New Yorkers the opportunity to be a part of that unforgettable moment."
NYRR "runs" New York City, producing 60 annual adult and youth races, including the TCS New York City Marathon. First run in 1970, the TCS New York City Marathon is one of the world's largest races. Tickets to the Grandstand seating typically start at $55, giving spectators a view of the homestretch of the race as runners cross the finish line. New Yorkers must be 18 or older to enter the drawing but, if selected, a second ticket is available for New Yorkers of any age.
Today's announcement builds on Mayor Mamdani's commitment to making sports affordable and accessible to every New Yorker. Other efforts include:
· Securing affordable tickets to World Cup matches.
· Announcing free tickets to the 2026 USA Track & Field (USATF) Outdoor & Para National Championships.
· Extending field lighting this summer, adding 4,000 hours of play on basketball courts, soccer fields and other athletic fields citywide.
· Delivering discounted tickets to Gotham FC soccer matches.
· Showing Knicks playoff games for free on hundreds of LinkNYC screens citywide.
· Providing 600 free tickets to the Knicks championship ceremony.
· Making all World Cup FanFests in the five boroughs free to all New Yorkers.
· Creating free Soccer Streets and 24/7 World Cup pitches.
