If you are running, spectating or just tracking the elite race from home, here are the key logistics for the 2026 Berlin Marathon.
## Race Date
The 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 27, 2026. It is the fourth of seven World Marathon Majors on the 2026 calendar, following Tokyo, Boston and Sydney.
## The Course
Berlin’s course is famous for being almost entirely flat, looping through the city’s central districts before finishing near the Brandenburg Gate. That lack of elevation change, combined with typically mild late-September weather, is the biggest reason Berlin has become the marathon world’s preferred venue for world record attempts.
– Flat, fast profile with minimal elevation change
– Route passes major Berlin landmarks throughout the 42.2-kilometre course
– Finish line located near the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most recognisable finish areas in marathon running
## Field Size
Around 60,000 participants are expected across the full running, wheelchair, handbike and skating events, making it one of the largest single-day mass participation races in the world.
## Weather Considerations
Late September in Berlin can still bring warm conditions. The 2025 edition saw temperatures reach 25 degrees Celsius during the men’s elite race, a reminder that even a fast, flat course can be affected by heat on race day.
For the full picture on this year’s elite fields and record potential, see our Berlin Marathon complete race guide. Watching from outside Germany? Our how to watch guide covers your broadcast options, and if you’re tracking the wider marathon season, check our Chicago Marathon guide for what comes next.
## Final Word
A flat course, a historic finish line and ideal conditions on most years make Berlin’s route logistics as important to know as the race itself.