The Boston Marathon is arguably the toughest of the World Marathon Majors due to its uphill segments, most famously Heartbreak Hill, and the Massachusetts rain and cold forecast for Monday, Patriots Day, will only up the ante.
Reigning men’s champion John Korir also returned to New England, where he will line up alongside fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto, who reigned in New York. 2024 New York winner Abdi Nageeye and 2024 Berlin winner Milkesa Mengesha are also in the race, as is Alphonce Felix Simbu, who took a memorable second place in Boston a year ago by overcoming a three-way sprint to the finish.
In the men’s wheelchair race, Marcel Hug is seeking his ninth title in Boston (and fourth in a row), while fellow Swiss Manuela Schar is seeking her fifth title here in the women’s event.
Eagle-eyed viewers will also want to keep an eye out for Love Island: beyond the villa The infamous Bryan Arenales from season 2. He is rumored to be trying to shirk his responsibilities. He will be one of 30,000 runners who will cover the 26.2-mile course.
Read on for our guide on where to watch the 2026 Boston Marathon live streams online, on TV and potentially free wherever you are.
Can I watch the 2026 Boston Marathon for free?
The 2026 Boston Marathon will be broadcast for free on Olympic channel in countries where the race has not been broadcast by a local broadcast partner, such as Japan.
This handy guide will help you determine eligibility through the elimination process.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch the 2026 Boston Marathon for free as if you were at home. NordVPN It’s our best pick of the options.
How to watch the 2026 Boston Marathon using a VPN
A VPN is useful software that can make your device appear as if you are in your home country, so you can unblock your usual service. Best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and offers up to 75% off.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Boston Marathon in the US
In the United States, the Boston Marathon is broadcast on ESPN2.
If you don’t have the channel on cable, it’s available through Sling.
Alternatively, you can live stream the 2026 Boston Marathon via ESPN Select, which costs $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year.
Are you visiting the United States from Japan? Wear NordVPN to watch Olympic Channel’s free coverage of the Boston Marathon.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Boston Marathon in the UK
The 2026 Boston Marathon is broadcast on TNT sports 2 in the UK.
To access TNT Sports, you’ll need to add it to your TV package or take out a standalone subscription through HBO Max, which launched in the UK on March 26. The best value streaming package costs £25.99 per month with a 12 month term. Discovery+ subscriptions have been automatically transferred.
You’ll also have access to football’s Premier League, Champions League and Europa League, plus Tour de France cycling, rugby, wrestling, UFC and MotoGP.
If you travel abroad, don’t worry, as you can use NordVPN to see your usual service from abroad.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Boston Marathon in Canada
In Canada, the Boston Marathon is broadcast on TSN4.
You can also stream it live via TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
If you are already a subscriber but are currently outside of Canada, download a VPN to watch the 2026 Boston Marathon as if you were at home.
How to watch live streams of the 2026 Boston Marathon in Australia
FloTrack shows the 2026 Boston Marathon in Australia.
A subscription will cost you $150 per year or $29.99 per month. It is billed in US dollars.
Not in Australia? Wear NordVPN to access your regular race coverage from anywhere if you’re away from home.
What is the start time of the 2026 Boston Marathon?
Monday April 20
09:06 – Men in wheelchairs
09.09 – Women in wheelchairs
9:30 a.m. – Hand bike and duo
09.37 – Professional men
09.47 – Professional women
9:50 a.m. – For athletes
10 am – Wave 1
10:15 a.m. – Wave 2
10.28 am – Wave 3
10.41 am – Wave 4
11.01 am – Wave 5
11.21 am – Wave 6
(All times ET)
What is the 2026 Boston Marathon prize money?
The Boston Marathon purse amounts to $1,484,500 in 2026, with $150,000 going to the winners of each of the men’s and women’s races.
Second place gets $75,000, third place is worth $40,000, fourth place is worth $25,000, fifth place is worth $18,000, sixth place is worth $13,500, seventh place is worth $10,500, eighth place is worth $8,500, ninth place is worth $7,000, and tenth place is worth $5,500.
Is the Boston Marathon the oldest marathon?
The Boston Athletic Association markets the Boston Marathon, inaugurated in 1897, as the oldest race of its kind.
However, the modern marathon was established in Athens a year earlier, in 1896, at the first international Olympic Games.
Can I watch the 2026 Boston Marathon on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or through the browser on your phone.
You can also stay up to date with the Boston Marathon on the official social media channels on Instagram (@TeamBAA) and Facebook (@BAA).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
