How to get into the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2027.
All 6 ways into the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, with the ballot dates and the published ballot odds.
Ways in
There are 6 ways into the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, each with what it involves and, where we have it, the organizer's own detail.
- 01
Ballot
Apply while the ballot is open. Places are then drawn at random from everyone who applied, and those drawn are invited to pay the entry fee.
At this race: Apply for a non-guaranteed entry drawing; names will be selected from the full pool of non-guaranteed entry applications; submitting multiple applications does not increase chances; duplicateapplics.
Organizer's details - 02
Qualifying time
Run a time under the race's standard for your age and gender within the qualifying window, then apply with proof. At popular races, meeting the time doesn't always guarantee a place.
At this race: Legacy finisher application path; 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience finishes are not considered; years in which someone signed up for but did not finish the Chicago Marathon (in
Organizer's details - 03
Club membership
Places set aside for members of a club or running organization, sometimes for completing a set number of its races.
At this race: Complete all three 2026 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series events (Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon) to guarantee entry.
- 04
Charity place
Take a place from a partner charity and commit to raising a minimum amount for it. Charities usually ask you to apply and choose their runners.
At this race: If you completed the process to cancel your 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon entry through the Pregnancy and Postpartum Policy, submit a 2027 application to guarantee entry; participants will
Organizer's details - 05
Tour operator package
Buy a travel package (usually hotel plus race entry) from an official tour operator. It costs more than entering yourself, but the place is guaranteed.
At this race: Guarantee a spot by traveling and running with an official tour operator; each tour operator manages its own tour and package (e.g., entry, air travel, hotel); more information available on
Organizer's details - 06
Other
Another route the organizer offers.
At this race: Pregnancy and Postpartum Policy: if 2026 entry cancelled under policy, submit 2027 application; no entry fee again.
Organizer's details
Ballot dates
The ballot for the 2027 race, as the organizer announced it.
Ballot opens
8 Oct 2026
Ballot closes
29 Oct 2026
Draw
TBA
Results
TBA
Ballot odds
Applicants and ballot places as the organizer or the press published them. The chance is worked out only where both numbers were published for the same year; ballot places are those drawn in the ballot, not the whole field.
| Race year | Applicants | Ballot places | Chance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 200,000 | — | — | newsroom.bankofamerica.com More than 200,000. |
| 2025 | 160,000 | — | — | newsroom.bankofamerica.com More than 160,000. |
| 2024 | 123,000 | — | — | chicago.suntimes.com More than 123,000, per a race spokesperson. |
| 2023 | 86,000 | — | — | chicago.suntimes.com Per a race spokesperson, reported in December 2023. |
| 2022 | 80,000 | — | — | chicago.suntimes.com Per a race spokesperson, reported in December 2023. |
Qualifying times
Legacy finisher application path; 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience finishes are not considered; years in which someone signed up for but did not finish the Chicago Marathon (in
The organizer publishes 39 standards by age and gender. Check yours against your best time, and the window it must have been run in.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon qualifying timesCharity places and tours
Both are guaranteed places. A charity place asks you to raise a minimum amount; a tour package bundles entry with travel and a hotel.
Charity places
- Apply
Official Bank of America Chicago Marathon Charity Program
Fundraising target on request
FAQ
- When does the Bank of America Chicago Marathon ballot open?
- The ballot for the 2027 race opened on 8 Oct 2026 and closed on 29 Oct 2026. Dates for the 2028 ballot haven't been announced yet.
- What are my chances in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon ballot?
- 200,000 people applied in the ballot for the 2026 race. The number of ballot places wasn't published, so we can't give the odds.
- Can I get into the Bank of America Chicago Marathon without the ballot?
- Yes. Besides the ballot there are 5 other ways in. Qualifying time: Legacy finisher application path; 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience finishes are not considered; years in which someone signed up for but did not finish the Chicago Marathon (in. Club membership: Complete all three 2026 Bank of America Chicago Distance Series events (Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Marathon) to guarantee entry. Charity place: If you completed the process to cancel your 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon entry through the Pregnancy and Postpartum Policy, submit a 2027 application to guarantee entry; participants will. Tour operator package: Guarantee a spot by traveling and running with an official tour operator; each tour operator manages its own tour and package (e.g., entry, air travel, hotel); more information available on. Other: Pregnancy and Postpartum Policy: if 2026 entry cancelled under policy, submit 2027 application; no entry fee again.
- Can I get into the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a qualifying time?
- Yes. The organizer publishes 39 qualifying standards by age and gender; Medal lists them all with their source.
Looking for other ballots? See every ballot opening soon.