The TCS Amsterdam Marathon 2026 is set to bring another big marathon weekend to one of Europe’s most appealing running cities. The event takes place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, with the full marathon held on Sunday. Expect a fast, flat course, a lively international atmosphere and one of the most memorable finishes in road running inside the Olympic Stadium.
What makes the Amsterdam Marathon stand out is the setting. You run through a city that combines grand architecture, wide avenues, historic canals and famous green spaces, while still offering a course known for fast times. For many runners that makes Amsterdam a very attractive option: it is a marathon with real atmosphere, but also one where a personal best still feels realistic.
The route includes several of the city’s best-known highlights, including the Olympic Stadium, the passage near the Rijksmuseum, long stretches along the Amstel and the run through Vondelpark. Whether you are coming for the full marathon, the half marathon, a shorter race or simply to support friends and family, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon weekend is one of the biggest sporting events in the Netherlands.
When is the TCS Amsterdam Marathon 2026?
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon 2026 takes place over two days:
- Saturday 17 October 2026 for side events and shorter races
- Sunday 18 October 2026 for the full marathon and the Mizuno Half Marathon
The main marathon distance is on Sunday 18 October 2026. That is the day when thousands of runners head towards the Olympic Stadium for the full 42.195 km through Amsterdam.
Events during marathon weekend
The Amsterdam marathon weekend is designed for more than just marathon runners. There are several distances and side events, which makes the event accessible whether you are chasing a fast time, running your first race in Amsterdam or just want to be part of the atmosphere.
- TCS Marathon – the full marathon on Sunday
- Mizuno Half Marathon – also on Sunday
- TCS 7.5K – on Saturday
- Good Morning City Run – a relaxed guided city run on Saturday morning
- Kids Run and Heroes Run – family-friendly weekend events
- Amsterdam City Walk – a separate walking event in the city on Saturday
That mix is part of the appeal. Marathon runners get a serious international race, while shorter-distance participants and visitors still get a full event weekend with plenty going on around the city.
Registration for the Amsterdam Marathon 2026
If you are hoping to run the full marathon or the half marathon, the most important update is that both headline races are already sold out. Demand for Amsterdam continues to be huge, and the main entries for 2026 went very quickly.
At the moment, registration is still available for selected shorter events such as the 7.5K, Kids Run and Heroes Run. There are also some business entry options for teams.
Check the official registration page for the latest availability
If the marathon or half marathon is sold out, do not buy a bib from unofficial channels. The organisers use an official resale system, which is the safest route if you still want to find a valid entry through the secondary market.
Entry fees and practical extras
The published 2026 rates show that the full marathon and half marathon sold out quickly, while the shorter races remain the easiest way to join the weekend. When entering, runners can usually add optional extras such as race photos, medal engraving, merchandise and other event add-ons.
For many runners, Amsterdam is also a trip rather than just a race, so it is worth looking at your stay, transport and bib collection plans at the same time as your entry.
Programme and what to expect
The complete weekend schedule develops closer to race week, but the structure of the event is already clear.
Saturday 17 October 2026
Saturday is focused on shorter distances and side events. The Good Morning City Run gives visitors an easy-paced run through central Amsterdam in guided groups. The 7.5K takes place later in the day and is a popular option for runners who want the marathon atmosphere without tackling the longer distances. Kids Run and Heroes Run are also part of the Saturday programme.
The 7.5K starts at 14:00 from Stadionweg and finishes in the Olympic Stadium, which makes it an excellent choice if you want the real finish-line experience. The time limit is one hour.
Saturday is also an important day for practical organisation, because many participants collect their bib numbers and race materials during the Marathon Expo.
Sunday 18 October 2026
Sunday is the main race day, with the TCS Marathon and the Mizuno Half Marathon. This is the biggest day for runners, spectators and road closures around the city. The atmosphere is strongest around the Olympic Stadium, the Museumplein area and key points along the course where runners pass in large numbers.
Detailed wave times and final participant instructions are normally shared closer to the event, so runners should always check the official participant communication in the week before race day.
The course: why Amsterdam is so popular
The Amsterdam course is one of the main reasons runners choose this event. It is widely known for being flat, quick and scenic. That combination is not easy to find. Some city marathons are beautiful but slow, while others are fast but less memorable. Amsterdam manages to offer both.
- Start and finish at the historic Olympic Stadium
- A route past the Rijksmuseum area
- Long, rhythm-friendly stretches along the Amstel
- A run through Vondelpark
- A course with a strong reputation for fast times
The finish inside the Olympic Stadium is a genuine highlight. Even runners who know the city well often say that final lap into the stadium is what stays with them afterwards. It gives the event a much bigger-race feel than many city marathons can offer.
Start, finish and bib collection
For 2026, runners should plan their logistics well. The start of the full marathon is split between Area A in the Olympic Stadium and Area B on Stadionweg. The half marathon and the 7.5K start on Stadionweg. The finish is in the Olympic Stadium.
Your exact start wave and start area are communicated shortly before the event, so it is important to read the final participant email carefully. You may usually start in a later wave, but not in an earlier one.
Bib numbers are collected at the Marathon Expo in RAI Amsterdam. The currently published opening times are:
- Thursday 15 October – 13:00 to 20:00
- Friday 16 October – 10:00 to 20:00
- Saturday 17 October – 09:00 to 19:00
That means many international runners arrive on Friday or Saturday, collect their bib at the RAI and then make their way to the south of the city for race weekend.
Good Morning City Run and Amsterdam City Walk
If you are travelling with friends or family, or you are in Amsterdam for the weekend without running the marathon itself, the side events make the trip more enjoyable.
The Good Morning City Run on Saturday offers a more relaxed way to see the city. Participants choose between two guided routes through Amsterdam, with famous sights along the way. It starts and finishes at Museumplein near the Rembrandt van Gogh kiosk, making it especially convenient if you are already staying in the museum district.
The Amsterdam City Walk also takes place on Saturday 17 October 2026. This walking event has several distances and is ideal for visitors who want the weekend atmosphere without taking part in a race. The routes go past well-known and lesser-known parts of Amsterdam, and the finish is in the Olympic Stadium. That makes it a good option for partners, friends or supporters who want their own active event during marathon weekend.
More information about the Amsterdam City Walk
Extra services for runners
The organisers also offer several extras that can make the weekend easier or more memorable. These usually include official race photography, app-based live tracking, medal engraving after the finish and optional merchandise.
The official event app is particularly useful for both runners and supporters. It is designed to include practical race information, course maps and live tracking, so friends and family can follow participants during the race.
There are also toilets at the venue and at refreshment stations, and pacers are normally available for the marathon and half marathon. That makes Amsterdam especially attractive for runners aiming for a target time.
Running for a cause
The marathon weekend is also linked to fundraising. Through Run Against Cancer, participants can support KWF Dutch Cancer Society and raise money alongside their training and race effort. For some runners that becomes an extra motivation during the build-up to October, especially if they are taking on the distance for a personal reason.
That fundraising option gives the event another layer. For some people the goal is a fast finish time. For others it is about completing the distance, representing a team or turning the race into something meaningful beyond sport.
Register or view the latest event options here
Where to stay for the Amsterdam Marathon
If you are booking accommodation for marathon weekend, do it early. Amsterdam hotels fill up quickly when a major event is taking place, and marathon weekend attracts both runners and supporters from the Netherlands and abroad.
The most practical areas to stay are usually:
- Olympic Stadium and Stadionbuurt – best if you want to be close to the start and finish area
- Museumplein and Vondelpark – lively, central and convenient for race weekend
- RAI and Amsterdam Zuid – useful for bib collection and transport links
- Amsterdam Central Station area – handy for visitors who want a more central base with public transport connections
For marathon runners, staying too far outside the city can make race morning more stressful than it needs to be. A hotel in Amsterdam Zuid, Oud-Zuid or near the Olympic Stadium is often the easiest choice if convenience matters more than nightlife or sightseeing.
Is the Amsterdam Marathon worth it?
Yes, especially if you want a marathon that combines speed, atmosphere and a memorable finish. The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is not only one of the biggest running weekends in the Netherlands, but also one of the strongest city marathon options in Europe for runners who want a proper race experience without losing the character of the city around them.
Even if the full marathon and half marathon are already sold out, the weekend is still worth considering for the 7.5K, the Good Morning City Run, the Amsterdam City Walk or simply as a supporter. And if you are already planning ahead, it is a good reminder that Amsterdam entries do not stay available for long.