Paris Marathon 2027 switches to a ballot system, with race entries priced at €169
Imagine having filled out your registration form, ready to lace up your trainers for the most iconic 42.195 km in France, only to find out that this time, your spot depends on a lottery draw. That is the reality awaiting hopeful runners for the Paris Marathon 2027, whose rules have just been fundamentally overhauled by the event’s new organiser.
A new registration system for the Paris Marathon 2027
It is Cadence Running United, the group taking over the organisation of the race from 2027, that officially announced this change on 8 September at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The first-come, first-served model is gone: securing a race entry now comes down to a random selection process. In practice, applicants must register on a dedicated platform before 30 September, providing their personal details and target finish time. After that, all there is left to do is wait for the draw results.
This shift to a ballot system marks a significant change for runners who were used to locking in their place the moment registrations opened. Under the new system, even the quickest off the mark are no longer guaranteed a spot. Luck becomes just as decisive a factor as motivation or physical preparation.
A flat entry fee of €169
Among the other changes announced, the question of pricing deserves particular attention. The 2027 edition introduces a flat entry fee of €169 for all selected participants. In previous years, race entries were offered at prices ranging from €135 to €175 depending on the package chosen. This unified pricing simplifies the fee structure, but it also puts all applicants on equal footing, with no distinction based on when they registered or which entry type they selected.
For runners who had previously aimed for the lowest-priced options, this standardisation represents a slight increase. On the other hand, those who would have gone for the most expensive packages come out ahead. Ultimately, it is a levelling out that erases the differences in treatment between registrants.
Affordable entries for those who need them most
Among Cadence Running United’s announcements, one stands out for its social impact. 1,000 entries will be available at €50 for three specific groups: scholarship students, jobseekers, and adults with disabilities. This initiative opens the door of a major sporting event to profiles that would often be priced out of participating.
Fifty euros is still a meaningful sum, particularly for those concerned. But compared to the standard fee of €169, the difference is considerable. This approach allows a portion of the public to experience the Paris Marathon under far more accessible conditions.
- Registration via ballot draw, deadline 30 September
- Flat entry fee of €169 for selected participants
- 1,000 entries at €50 for scholarship students, jobseekers, and adults with disabilities
- Marathon scheduled for 4 April
- Paris Half Marathon set for 7 March, with entries at €25 for eligible groups
The Paris Half Marathon 2027 follows the same rules
The Paris Half Marathon, scheduled for 7 March 2027, is also adopting the ballot system, with the same registration dates and conditions as the marathon. Runners interested in this distance must therefore sign up within the same window, before 30 September.
On the reduced-price side, the same logic applies: scholarship students, jobseekers, and adults with disabilities can enter the half marathon for €25, compared to a standard fee of €79. Here too, the number of discounted entries is limited, making it all the more important for eligible runners to register promptly.
What this means in practice for runners
For regular Paris Marathon participants, these changes call for a rethink of their approach. The 30 September deadline is now the one date that cannot be missed, whether for the marathon or the half marathon. Miss that window, and there is no way back in, regardless of how quickly you act afterwards.
What’s more, being selected is only half the battle: participants must then pay the €169 entry fee to confirm their place in the Paris Marathon 2027, scheduled for 4 April. The event marks its fiftieth anniversary this year, and these sweeping changes clearly signal the start of a new chapter for the race.
