NYC Marathon 2026 spectator guide: where to watch, new Bronx route, Nov. 1 closures
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon runs Sunday, Nov. 1. Here are the viewing spots, the new Bronx route, the finish area rules and what is known so far about closures.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is on Sunday, Nov. 1. Five waves start between 9:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and the race finishes at 67th Street on West Drive in Central Park. Most of the course is open to spectators for free from mile 3 to mile 26. Two things to know now: the Bronx section has a new route this year, and the city has not yet released its official 2026 street-closure list.
NYC Marathon 2026 date and wave start times
New York Road Runners lists the race for Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 8 a.m. Runners start in five waves. NYRR says start times are subject to change.
- Wave 1: 9:10 a.m.
- Wave 2: 9:45 a.m.
- Wave 3: 10:20 a.m.
- Wave 4: 10:55 a.m.
- Wave 5: 11:30 a.m.
Runners who finish by 10 p.m. are recorded as official finishers. Sweep buses follow the route at about a 16-minute-per-mile pace, based on the final wave start.
Race week includes the expo at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on 11th Avenue between West 35th and West 36th streets. There is also an opening ceremony at the finish line in Central Park with the Parade of Nations and fireworks. Dates, hours and details are on the NYRR marathon page.
The new Bronx route, street by street
The 2026 course has the first route change in 15 years. NYRR says the adjustments are meant to reduce the race’s impact on the Bronx. They come as the five-borough course marks 50 years since it was first run on city streets on Oct. 24, 1976. The new Bronx section runs like this:
- After crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners turn left onto East 135th Street.
- They turn right on Alexander Avenue and continue straight on Alexander Avenue.
- Instead of turning left on East 138th Street, they turn left onto East 141st Street.
- They turn left on Third Avenue, then right onto East 138th Street.
- East 138th Street takes them across the Madison Avenue Bridge.
If you have watched in the Bronx in past years, check the NYRR course page and its 2026 course map before you pick a spot.
Street closures and no-parking rules
The city has not released its official 2026 street-closure and no-parking list. The city’s file for this year was not online when this guide was written. This guide will be updated when the city publishes it.
NYRR has confirmed that the NYPD will close streets along the marathon course on Sunday, Nov. 1. Closures begin early in the morning so delivery trucks, ambulances, NYRR staff and volunteers can set up medical tents and water stations before the start. No unsanctioned bicycles or other unauthorized activity are allowed on the course while it is closed to traffic, including during setup.
The Central Park Conservancy says park visitors should expect road closures and heavy crowds along the route on race day. More than 50,000 runners pass through the park’s West Drive before the finish near Tavern on the Green.
Where to watch the NYC Marathon
There is no spectator viewing at the start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and spectators are not allowed on any of the bridges on the course. NYRR recommends these spots and lists these nearby subway lines:
- Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn (miles 2-4): runners coming off the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. R.
- Fourth Avenue and Flatbush Avenue (mile 8): B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn (miles 10-13): streets lined with shops and restaurants on the way to the Pulaski Bridge. G, L, M, J.
- Queens side of the Pulaski Bridge (mile 13.1): the bridge is closed to spectators, so many fans cheer just past the halfway mark in Queens. 7, G, E.
- First Avenue, Manhattan (miles 16-18): N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, F.
- East Harlem (miles 18-20): 6.
- Charity Cheer Zone, First Avenue and 120th Street (miles 19-20): 6.
- Fifth Avenue, East 90th to East 105th streets (miles 23-24): the last stretch before Central Park. Q, 4, 5, 6.
- United Airlines Zone, Columbus Circle: A, C, D, 1.
Watching the finish in Central Park
The finish is at 67th Street on West Drive. Spectators can reach the final approach in two ways.
- Grandstand seating: tickets are required and seats are limited. The East Side Grandstand looks onto the final 200 meters, on the runners’ right as they cross the finish line. Enter at West 62nd Street and Broadway with your grandstand tickets. NYRR sells tickets through its Watch the Race page.
- Standing spectator area: inside Central Park from Columbus Circle to the south end of the grandstands, about 500 feet before the finish. No chairs or seats are provided or allowed. The NYPD, NYRR and the NYC Parks Department may limit access at times, based on capacity.
There is no spectator access in Central Park north of the grandstands. You can enter at Broadway and West 61st Street, or from the east side by the Central Park path next to Heckscher Fields (Kickball Field #3). All entrances require screening.
Getting there by subway and crossing the course
NYRR says the subway is the best way for spectators to get around. The MTA has not published race-day service changes yet. Check mta.info or message the MTA through the chat feature in the MTA app before you travel. On race morning, see live subway status. For fares and ways to pay, see the How2NewYork transport guide.
NYRR lists these pedestrian crossing zones to help spectators move safely around the course:
- Brooklyn: Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street; Bedford Avenue and Broadway.
- Manhattan: First Avenue at 69th Street, 72nd Street, 83rd Street and 86th Street.
Spectator rules: what to know before you go
- Stay behind the blue tape or barricades and keep the roadway open for runners.
- Signs and flags are welcome, but unofficial use of speakers is not permitted in New York City.
- Drones and other unmanned flying devices are illegal in New York City and are not permitted anywhere at the marathon.
- Portable toilets are for registered runners only.
- Do not block access to buildings, and do not leave trash or signs behind.
- Anyone without an official race bib may not join the race or run with a participant. Bicycles, skateboards and other unauthorized vehicles are not permitted on the course.
To report a runner who needs medical help, a drone or anything suspicious, call the race hotline at 866-705-6626. Friends and family can call the Medical Information Hotline at 855-697-7786 to ask about runners who received medical assistance. They can also track runners with the New York Road Runners app. Check the NYC forecast before heading out.
How to watch on TV, online and radio
In New York, WABC-TV Channel 7 carries the race live from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pre-race coverage starts at 7 a.m. and continued coverage runs until 1 p.m. The ABC 7 New York app and ABC7NY.com stream from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and ABC7NY.com shows a view of the finish line from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nationally, ESPN2 airs the race from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A Spanish-language broadcast runs on ESPN3 over the same hours. ABC airs a two-hour show from the finish line from 3 to 5 p.m. On radio, 710 WOR AM and 104.3HD2 carry the race starting at 7 a.m., and the iHeartRadio app starting at 8 a.m. All times are Eastern.
Sources
Checked on October 17, 2026. This guide is updated as the organizers, the city and the MTA publish new details.
Quick answers
When does the 2026 NYC Marathon start?
The race is on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. NYRR lists wave starts at 9:10 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 10:55 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and says start times are subject to change.
What changed on the 2026 NYC Marathon course?
After the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners turn left onto East 135th Street, then right on Alexander Avenue. They then turn left onto East 141st Street instead of East 138th Street, left on Third Avenue and right onto East 138th Street to the Madison Avenue Bridge. It is the first course change in 15 years.
Which streets are closed for the 2026 NYC Marathon?
The city has not yet released its official 2026 closure and no-parking list. NYRR says the NYPD will close streets along the course on Nov. 1, starting early in the morning.
Can spectators watch at the finish line?
Yes, in two ways: grandstand seating with tickets, entered at West 62nd Street and Broadway, or the free standing area inside Central Park from Columbus Circle to the south end of the grandstands. Access may be limited based on capacity, and all entrances require screening.
Can I watch from the bridges?
No. Spectators are not allowed on any of the bridges on the course, and there is no viewing at the start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
