Berlin Marathon 2026: Start Time, TV Channels & How to Watch
The Berlin Marathon 2026 takes over the German capital this Sunday, and if you're trying to figure out exactly when the gun goes off and where to watch it, here's everything laid out in one place. The 52nd BMW Berlin Marathon kicks off with the elite fields at 8:45 a.m. local time, sending tens of thousands of runners past landmarks like the Victory Column and through the Brandenburg Gate for one of the fastest, flattest courses on the marathon major circuit.
The Berlin Marathon finish line passes beneath the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most recognizable sights in marathon running.
Game Information & How to Watch
Race day is Sunday, September 27, 2026, with the elite men's and women's fields starting at 8:45 a.m. Central European Summer Time from Straße des 17. Juni. That works out to 2:45 a.m. Eastern Time and 11:45 p.m. Saturday Pacific Time for anyone tuning in from the U.S.
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Elite start time: 8:45 a.m. CEST (2:45 a.m. ET / 11:45 p.m. PT Saturday)
Venue: Berlin, Germany — start at Straße des 17. Juni, finish at Brandenburg Gate
Germany TV: RTL and RTL+, live from roughly 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CEST
United States: FloTrack / FloSports (subscription required)
After RTL signs off: The race's own YouTube channel, @berlin-marathon, continues coverage into the afternoon
Once RTL's broadcast window closes, viewers outside Germany, Austria, and Switzerland should check the official BMW Berlin Marathon broadcast schedule for the full list of international rights holders, since availability shifts by region and the mid-race handoff to YouTube has carried German-language commentary in past years.
Team Stats & Players to Watch
The build-up to this year's Berlin Marathon lost its biggest name when world record holder Sabastian Sawe, who became the first man to break two hours at London earlier this year, withdrew because of injury. That opens the door for Guye Adola, the 2021 Berlin champion who arrives in form after winning Rotterdam this spring in 2:03:54, with Tanzania's Gabriel Geay — the fastest personal-best holder left in the field — right behind him as a serious threat.
The women's race carries just as much intrigue. Tigst Assefa, who won here in 2022 and set a then-world record on this course in 2023, returns off a win at this year's London Marathon and will be chasing another fast time on a course that's produced world records before. Defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru is back to defend her title, and both will be racing a deep field that includes Germany's own contenders looking to challenge the national record in front of a home crowd.
With prize money of €30,000 for each winner and performance bonuses on the table for times under 2:02:30 for the men and 2:16 for the women, expect an aggressive pace from the front of both races from the opening kilometers of the Berlin Marathon 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Race day and time: The elite fields start at 8:45 a.m. CEST on Sunday, September 27 — that's 2:45 a.m. ET for U.S. viewers.
- Free viewing in Germany: RTL and RTL+ carry the race live and free from around 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CEST.
- U.S. access requires a subscription: FloTrack and the FloSports app hold American streaming rights; there's no traditional network broadcast.
- Top storyline on the men's side: World record holder Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn injured, leaving Guye Adola and Gabriel Geay as the men to watch.
- Top storyline on the women's side: Tigst Assefa returns to the course where she once held the world record, taking on defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru.
- Coverage continues after RTL: The official @berlin-marathon YouTube channel picks up coverage once the German TV window ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Berlin Marathon 2026 blacked out in any regions?
There's no blanket blackout, but access is split by territory. RTL's coverage is aimed at German-speaking viewers, and the YouTube handoff later in the day has carried German commentary in past years "for legal reasons," which points to the stream being restricted outside Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Viewers elsewhere should check the official broadcaster list for their country rather than assume the YouTube stream will work.
Is there a free trial to watch the Berlin Marathon in the U.S.?
FloTrack and FloSports run the U.S. streaming rights and typically operate on a paid subscription model, though they periodically offer short free trial windows to new users. Check the FloTrack sign-up page directly on race morning, since trial availability can change without much notice.
What do I need to stream the Berlin Marathon on my TV?
For RTL+ or FloTrack, a smart TV with the relevant app installed works, or you can cast from a phone or laptop using Chromecast, AirPlay, or a similar built-in casting feature. No special hardware is required beyond a stable internet connection.
Will there be a localized broadcast with English commentary?
Yes — the international host feed produced for broadcasters includes an English commentary track, and that's the version most non-German broadcasters and streaming platforms outside Germany carry. RTL's domestic broadcast, by contrast, is in German.
However you end up watching, the Berlin Marathon 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable editions in years, with the reigning world record holder out and a genuinely open race at the front of both the men's and women's fields. Set an alarm if you're catching the 2:45 a.m. ET start, and keep the official schedule bookmarked in case regional access changes on race morning.
The Qalamkaar News Desk covers live sports broadcasts, streaming schedules, and major race-day coverage with a focus on getting viewers accurate, up-to-date access information for premium athletic events..
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