Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Opinion on the ethics declaration
Will last year’s champions, Sabastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa, be able to retain their titles?
Kevin Lynch is a writer and journalist born in London and based in Dublin. Author of Steve Jobs: A Biographical Portrait, Kevin is a regular writer for a number of technology sites and the former technology editor of the Daily Mirror. He was also editor-in-chief of GuinnessWorldRecords.com and a judge at the BAFTA British Academy Video Game Awards.
Rae Hodge Former editor-in-chief
Rae Hodge was an editor at CNET. She led CNET’s coverage on privacy and cybersecurity tools from July 2019 to January 2023. As a data-driven investigative reporter on the software and services team, she reviewed VPNs, password managers, antivirus software, anti-surveillance methods and technology ethics. Before joining CNET in 2019, Rae spent nearly a decade covering politics and protests for the AP, NPR, BBC and other local and international media outlets.
Jared DiPane is a writer on CNET’s sales team, specializing in finding the best deals and tips on how to maximize your money. With over 10 years of experience, he has managed content and business initiatives for Digital Trends, Mobile Nations and Future PLC. When he’s not looking for a good deal, he’s probably spending time with his family, building something, or looking for his next big purchase.
Skill Offers and purchasing advice
When to watch the 2026 London Marathon
- Sunday, April 26 at 3:50 a.m. ET (12:50 a.m. PT)
Where to watch
- The 2026 London Marathon will be broadcast in the United States on FloTrack.
73% off with a 2-year plan (+4 months free). Now only $3.49/month
See more details
Watch on BBC
Watch the London Marathon for free in the UK
BBC
See at Flotrack
Watch the 2026 London Marathon in the US from $30 a month
FloTrack
59,000 runners are expected on Sunday at the starting line of the 46th edition of the iconic London marathon.
Last year’s men’s and women’s winners of the 26.2-mile road race through the British capital will both look to retain their crowns. Kenyan Sabastian Sawe and Ethiopian Tigst Assefa are widely tipped to set new course records, as they both came close to doing so in 2025.
The course takes in London landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Cutty Sark, before heading down the final stretch of the shopping center to the finish line just outside Buckingham Palace. Here, world-class Olympians share the same course with competitive enthusiasts and costumed fun runners.
Defending champion Sabastian Sawe finished last year’s London Marathon with a time of 2:02:27, the second fastest recorded in the history of the event.
Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesLondon Marathon 2026: when and where?
The 2026 London Marathon will take place on Sunday April 26. The scheduled departure times are as follows:
Elite wheelchair race: 8:50am BST UK local time/3:50am ET/12:50am PT/5:50pm AEST
Elite women: 9:05 a.m. UK local time/4:05 a.m. ET/1:05 a.m. PT/6:05 p.m. AEST
Elite men/mass start: 9:35 a.m. UK local time/4:35 a.m. ET/1:35 a.m. PT/6:35 p.m. AEST
How to watch the 2026 London Marathon using a VPN
If you’re traveling internationally and want to follow the marathon action while you’re away from home, a VPN can help you improve your privacy and security while streaming.
It encrypts your traffic and prevents your Internet service provider from throttling your speed. It can also be useful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and connections. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the United States and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security.
However, some streaming services may have policies that restrict the use of VPN to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.
If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions to ensure you are connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so it is crucial to check if your streaming subscription allows VPN use.
Price $78 for two yearsLatest tests No DNS leak detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 testingJurisdiction British Virgin IslandsNetwork More than 3,000 servers in 105 countries
ExpressVPN is currently our top VPN pick for people looking for a reliable and secure VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. Its most popular plan (Advanced) normally costs $120 per year, but if you sign up for a $90 annual subscription, you’ll get three months free. This works out to $6 per month.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch the 2026 London Marathon for free in the UK
Sports fans in the UK can watch the 2026 London Marathon live on free-to-air channels BBC1 and BBC2. This also means that UK viewers will be able to stream the event for free on BBC iPlayer.
Coverage begins at 8.30am BST on Sunday morning on BBC1 before moving to BBC2 at 2.00pm for the rest of the day.
With the London Marathon being broadcast on BBC1 and BBC2, this also means you’ll be able to watch the race online for free via the network’s on-demand streaming service, BBC iPlayer.
With an app available for Android and Apple mobile devices as well as a huge range of smart TVs and streaming boxes, all you need is a valid UK TV license to stream the game.
Live stream the 2026 London Marathon in the US, Canada and Australia
This year’s race will be available live in all three regions via FloTrack, with coverage starting at 3 a.m. ET and 12 p.m. PT in North America and 5 a.m. AEST in Australia on Sunday.
Live streaming rights in the United States for the 2026 London Marathon are based on a dedicated athletics streaming service.
A FloTrack subscription will currently cost you $30 per month, while an annual subscription will cost you $150 for 12 months of viewing. Either option gives you access to live streams of a wide range of athletics events, including the Diamond League.
Other services and software
Kevin Lynch is a writer and journalist born in London and based in Dublin. Author of Steve Jobs: A Biographical Portrait, Kevin is a regular writer for a number of technology sites and the former technology editor of the Daily Mirror. He was also editor-in-chief of GuinnessWorldRecords.com and a judge at the BAFTA British Academy Video Game Awards. See full bio
Rae Hodge was an editor at CNET. She led CNET’s coverage on privacy and cybersecurity tools from July 2019 to January 2023. As a data-driven investigative reporter on the software and services team, she reviewed VPNs, password managers, antivirus software, anti-surveillance methods and technology ethics. Before joining CNET in 2019, Rae spent nearly a decade covering politics and protests for the AP, NPR, BBC and other local and international media outlets. See full biography
Jared DiPane is a writer on CNET’s sales team, specializing in finding the best deals and tips on how to maximize your money. With over 10 years of experience, he has managed content and business initiatives for Digital Trends, Mobile Nations and Future PLC. When he’s not looking for a good deal, he’s probably spending time with his family, building something, or looking for his next big purchase. See full biography