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How to watch the 2026 New York City Marathon: Streaming, TV, and spectator guide
Learn how to watch the New York Marathon 2026 worldwide, including TV channels, course overview, runner tracking, and the best in-person viewing spots.
Wondering how to watch New York Marathon coverage from outside the US? The TCS New York City Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and this guide explains how to watch the race on TV or live stream, plus how to follow a specific runner in real time.
The 2026 race is a major edition: it marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course. Today, the TCS New York City Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. It is consistently one of the world’s largest marathons, bringing together 55,000+ participants and more than two million spectators across New York City.
Below, you’ll find the confirmed race date, expected race-day start schedule, best in-person viewing spots, runner-tracking steps, and the latest available information on event broadcast coverage around the world.
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When is the New York City Marathon 2026?
The New York City Marathon 2026 is confirmed for Sunday, November 1, 2026. The race is traditionally held on the first Sunday of November and, in 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course.
As of now, NYRR has not released the full 2026 race-day start schedule for the wheelchair, handcycle, professional, and elite divisions. The confirmed schedule currently available is for the five general runner waves, listed in Eastern Time (ET).
| Start group | Start time ET |
|---|---|
| Wave 1 | 9:10 am |
| Wave 2 | 9:45 am |
| Wave 3 | 10:20 am |
| Wave 4 | 10:55 am |
| Wave 5 | 11:30 am |
If you’re watching from outside the US, convert ET to your local time before race day. For example, 9:10 a.m. in New York will fall in the afternoon in the UK and Europe, late evening in much of Asia, and overnight or early morning in Australia and New Zealand, depending on local daylight saving time.
Check NYRR’s official race-day information closer to marathon week for the full start schedule, including wheelchair, handcycle, professional, elite, and any updated wave or corral details.
The New York City Marathon route at a glance
The New York City Marathon is a point-to-point 26.2-mile course across all five New York City boroughs. It starts at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, crosses the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn, continues through Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, then returns to Manhattan for the finish in Central Park.
| Course section | Borough | Approx. point |
|---|---|---|
| Start / Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge | Staten Island to Brooklyn | Miles 0–2 |
| Fourth Avenue | Brooklyn | Miles 2–8 |
| Williamsburg and Greenpoint | Brooklyn | Miles 10–13 |
| Pulaski Bridge / Queens | Brooklyn to Queens | Around halfway |
| First Avenue | Manhattan | Miles 16–18 |
| East Harlem / Bronx approach | Manhattan / Bronx | Miles 18–21 |
| Fifth Avenue and Central Park | Manhattan | Miles 23–26.2 |
If you’re staying beyond race weekend, a broader New York travel guide can help you plan what to see across the city once the marathon crowds and road closures ease.
Where to watch the New York City Marathon in person: Best spots
If you are travelling to New York, watching in person is less about finding one perfect spot and more about choosing a realistic plan. Subway access matters, crowds build quickly, and some areas near bridges or the finish may be restricted.
Here are some of the best places to watch, based on NYRR’s recommended on-course viewing areas and practical spectator access.
| Viewing spot | Borough / approx. mile | Nearest subway | Why watch here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Avenue | Brooklyn, miles 2–4 | R train | Easy early-course access after runners enter Brooklyn. |
| Vernon Boulevard | Queens, around mile 14 | 7 train | A good mid-race spot after the halfway point. |
| First Avenue | Manhattan, miles 16–18 | 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, F trains | One of the loudest and most energetic sections. |
| 138th Street / Willis Avenue Bridge area | Bronx, around mile 20 | 4, 5, 6 trains | A brief but important late-race section where runners need support. |
| Fifth Avenue near Central Park | Manhattan, miles 23–24 | 4, 5, 6, Q trains | Strong late-race atmosphere before runners enter Central Park. |
If you want to see a runner more than once, do not underestimate travel time. Pick two realistic points near subway lines rather than trying to jump across the whole city.
If you’re visiting from overseas, setting up an eSIM for New York City can make it easier to stay connected while moving between viewing spots, especially when streets are closed, and crowds make meeting up more complicated.
The finish area, grandstand tickets, and official cheer zones
The finish is one of the most exciting parts of the race, but access is controlled. Spectators cannot watch at the Staten Island start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and Central Park access near the finish line is limited to designated spectator areas or ticketed grandstand seating.
NYRR’s 2026 watch page says runners are able to purchase 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Grandstand Seating tickets, with more information to come. NYRR also lists a standing spectator area inside Central Park from Columbus Circle to the south end of the grandstands, around 500 feet before the finish; access may be limited based on capacity.
Official cheer zones can change by year, so check NYRR’s spectator guide and course map before race day. For 2026, Charity Cheer Zone is at First Avenue and 120th Street, and the United Airlines Zone at Columbus Circle, among its on-course viewing locations.
How to track a runner during the New York City Marathon
The official app is the best place to follow someone specific. Use the NYRR app for real-time runner tracking, course maps, and race-week updates.
To track a runner:
- Search for your runner by name or bib number once the race field is available.
- Tap Follow so their progress appears in your tracked-runners list.
- Use the map section on race day to follow their progress and plan where to cheer.
NYRR also says its app can be used to create a spectator itinerary before the race and track a runner’s progress in real time on race day. Since live tracking and race-day updates depend on a stable connection, international spectators should also plan how they’ll access mobile internet in New York and consider an eSIM for the USA before heading out to the course.
It is also worth installing the essential travel apps you may need before you land, including transport, navigation, airline, and race-day apps, so everything is ready before marathon weekend.
How to watch the New York City Marathon around the world
International viewers can watch the New York City Marathon broadcast from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET through NYRR’s global broadcast partners. The 2026 broadcaster list includes the following channels, though markets marked TBD should be checked again closer to race day.
| Country/region | Channel |
|---|---|
| Australia | TBD |
| Canada | TBD |
| China | SMG Sports |
| Europe | Eurosport |
| France | L’Equipe |
| India | Eurosport |
| Italy | RAI |
| Japan | TV Asahi |
| Mexico and Central America | ESPN International |
| Middle East | TBD |
| New Zealand | TBD |
| South America and the Caribbean | ESPN International |
| Southeast Asia | Eurosport |
| Spain | TVE |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport |
If your country is marked TBD or does not appear in the table, check NYRR’s official race-day broadcast page and your local sports listings closer to November 1, 2026. Broadcast rights can change by market, and streaming access may depend on the broadcaster’s app, website, or subscription rules.
If the marathon weekend is part of a longer trip that also includes Canada or Mexico, a North America eSIM can cover a multi-country itinerary without switching connectivity plans between destinations.
Whether you are watching from home or cheering in person, the best plan is the same: confirm your local TV or streaming option before race day, convert the ET start time to your own time zone, download the NYRR app early, and save your runner’s bib number before the crowds and coverage begin.
Stay connected at the New York City Marathon with Holafly
On marathon day, reliable data can make it easier to follow your runner and move between viewing points. Set up an eSIM for New York City before you travel, then activate it when you arrive for unlimited data at speeds up to 5G and 24/7 customer support. You can check the NYRR app, subway updates, and meeting-point messages without changing your physical SIM or worrying about roaming fees.
If your main plan ends after race weekend or a flight delay keeps you in transit, keep your Holafly eSIM installed to access Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data. The 1 GB allowance refreshes automatically every month at no extra cost, giving you backup data for checking your flight, airport transfer, or messages on the way home.
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