There are multiple ways for charities to get involved in the TCS London Marathon, including our Charity Bond scheme, Charity Advertising Packages and the Charity Ballot. Find the one for you below.

New Charity Bond Scheme

The New Charity Bond Scheme for the TCS London Marathon will enable 800 new charities to become part of the world’s biggest annual one-day fundraising event from 2026 onwards. Here’s what you need to know to apply: 

The New Charity Bond Scheme offers two types of Bonds 

• Golden Bonds, with four entries per year in the TCS London Marathon 
• Silver Bonds, with two entries per year in the TCS London Marathon 

Both Bonds are for a four-year term from 2026 to 2029.  

Registered charities that do not currently hold Bonds in the TCS London Marathon are eligible to apply to be entered into a ballot for any one of the following four options: 

• One Golden Bond (four entries per year for four years)  
• Three Golden Bonds (twelve entries per year for four years)  
• Five Golden Bonds (twenty entries per year for four years) 
• One Silver Bond (two entries per year for four years)  

Each Bond also comes with two Grandstand passes on Event Day each year plus free attendance to the Meet Our Experts training event for your charity entries.    

The application window closes at 23:59 on Tuesday 26 November 2024 and charities will be notified of the ballot results the week commencing 2 December.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for full details on eligibility criteria and other questions. 

Background to the new scheme 

In 2019, we undertook a detailed review of the London Marathon Charity Bond Schemes. Our review included an extensive consultation with charities. More than 80% of charities that responded either agreed or strongly agreed that the allocation of bonds should be reviewed. The results of this review mean that 800 more charities will benefit from the new scheme from 2026 onwards. 

Charity Advertising Packages 

Our London Marathon Charity Advertising Packages offer a range of ways to reach and communicate with participants who may be looking to select a charity.  

Our email communications put your charity brand directly in front of ballot participants, and the TCS London Marathon website is a hugely powerful marketing tool featuring a range of advertising options as well as support for you and your participants. Each package also offers an allocation of guaranteed charity places to maximise fundraising from the event. Packages are highly sought after and most are sold for the 2026 event.

Charity Ballot 

Each year charities that don’t currently hold any TCS London Marathon places can enter a ballot with a chance to secure one of 500 charity places in the following year’s event. Applications for the 2026 Charity Ballot will open on Monday 2 December 2024 and close at 23:59 on Friday 13 December. Charities will be notified of the results by Friday 20 December.

TCS London Marathon MyWay Places

No matter where in the world you and your supporters are, you can be part of the TCS London Marathon with the TCS London Marathon MyWay. You can read more about our virtual event here.