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How to watch the Sydney Marathon 2026: Best places to see the runners and stream online

Here’s how to catch the action live and online on Sunday, August 30

Melissa Woodley
Written by
Melissa Woodley
Editor, Time Out Australia
Harbour Bridge over water
Photograph: Melissa Woodley for Time Out
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Champions from all around the world are heading to the Emerald City on Sunday, August 30, for the 2026 Sydney Marathon. With reigning world champions Alphonce Simbu and Peres Jepchirchir joining the elite line-up, it's set to be one of the biggest races of the year. Whether you love running or not, this sporting event is bound to go down in history – and you won’t want to miss it. Here’s how to watch the Sydney Marathon, in person or online.

When is the Sydney Marathon?

The Sydney Marathon will take place on Sunday, August 30, 2026. 

What time does Sydney Marathon start?

The Sydney Marathon kicks off with the wheelchair athletes at 6.15am AEST, followed by the elite runners from 6.30am.

How long is the Sydney Marathon?

The 42.195-kilometre route starts on Miller Street in North Sydney. From there, participants will charge across the iconic Harbour Bridge and seven on-course party zones – including The Rocks, Martin Place, Taylor Square and Centennial Park – before finishing at the Sydney Opera House.

How many people in the Sydney Marathon?

A whopping 41,000 runners from 162 countries will participate in the 2026 Sydney Marathon. This is a huge jump from the 5,300 runners in 2022 and 35,000 finishers in 2025.

What are the best places to watch the Sydney Marathon?

You can cheer on your mates and spot the elite runners at seven live spectator sites, including:

  • The Launchpad Party Zone (10km) – Hickson Rd, Barangaroo Metro Station (first runner 6.58am)
  • The Rocks Party (11.9km) – Crn George and Alfred St, The Rocks (first runner 7.05am)
  • Asics Party Zone (14km & 40.8km) – Top of Macquarie St, Sydney CBD (first runner 7.11am, then again at 8.31am)
  • Pride Party (15.4km & 36.2km) Taylor Square South, Cnr Oxford and Flinders St, Darlinghurst (first runner 7.15am, then again at 8.17am)
  • SCG Block Party (29.4km & 34.3km) – Driver Ave, Moore Park (first runner 7.57am, then again at 8.12am)
  • Party in the Park (33.3km) – The Homestead, Centennial Park (first runner 8.09am)
  • Harbour Party (39.2km) – Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Royal Botanic Garden (first runner 8.27am)

If you’re after multiple viewing opportunities, cheer at the start line (6:15am-8:15am), see runners pass at Barangaroo (6:36am-9:55am), and catch them again at Martin Place (6:42am-10:25am) before meeting them at the end in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Find out more about the spectator zones here.

You can also download the TCS Sydney Marathon app to track your mates in real-time, which allows you to forecast their expected finish time and where they will be on the course at any time.

How to watch Sydney Marathon online in Australia?

The Sydney Marathon will be broadcast live on SBS On Demand on Sunday, August 30 from 6am to 1.30pm AEST. A full replay will be available on SBS shortly after the live broadcast finishes.

 

Who won the Sydney Marathon 2025?

Last year, both the male and female course records were broken by Ethiopia's Hailemaryam Kiros (2:06:06) and the Netherlands' Sifan Hassan (2:18:22). 

How to enter the Sydney Marathon 2027?

In 2026, more than 123,000 people from around the world entered the Sydney Marathon. Entries for the 2027 Sydney Marathon are expected to open in late September. 

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