For the 60,000 runners who will line up on Staten Island on November 1, the TCS New York City Marathon is the culmination of months of training. For a few hundred New Yorkers, it can also be a front-row seat at the finish.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that the city will give away 350 free tickets to the marathon’s Grandstand at the finish line in Central Park. The tickets are being distributed in partnership with New York Road Runners (NYRR), the non-profit that organizes the marathon and dozens of other races, through an online drawing that is open until October 26 at 11:59 p.m.

The rules are simple. Entrants must be 18 or older. Winners will receive up to two tickets each, and the second ticket can be used by a New Yorker of any age, which opens the door for parents who want to bring a child to watch the race end.

The Grandstand sits along the final 200 meters of the 26.2-mile course, which crosses all five boroughs. Free public viewing spots line the route as runners move from Staten Island through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, but the Grandstand offers a different vantage point: the last stretch, where runners celebrate what they have accomplished. Tickets to the finish line seating normally start at $55, according to 6sqft, which first reported the giveaway.

“On November 1, tens of thousands of runners will wake up before the sun and travel to Staten Island to start the New York City Marathon,” Mamdani said. “Years of training and practice will pay off as runners cut across all five boroughs, crank up their music and cross the finish line in Central Park.”

The mayor framed the giveaway as a matter of access. “Every one of them deserves a crowd ready to cheer them home,” he said. “That’s why we’re giving away 350 free tickets to the grandstands at the end of the race. Sports belong to the people, and we’re making sure New Yorkers can experience the special joy of the New York City Marathon.”

This year’s race also comes with a change on the map. The marathon will use a new course for the first time in 15 years, 6sqft previously reported, with fewer turns for runners in Mott Haven, a tweak intended to reduce the impact on residents and businesses in the neighborhood.

With the entry window closing Monday night, New Yorkers who want a shot at the finish line have a few days left to sign up through the city’s drawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enter the drawing for free NYC Marathon finish line grandstand tickets?

Enter through the online drawing run by New York Road Runners, which is open until October 26 at 11:59 p.m. Entrants must be 18 or older.

How many free grandstand tickets is the city giving away for the NYC Marathon?

The city is giving away 350 free tickets to the Grandstand at the marathon’s finish line in Central Park. Winners can receive up to two tickets each.

Can I bring a child to the NYC Marathon finish line with a free ticket?

Yes, the second ticket a winner receives can be used by a New Yorker of any age. This allows parents to bring a child to watch the race finish.

How much do NYC Marathon finish line grandstand tickets normally cost?

Tickets to the finish line seating normally start at $55, according to 6sqft.

When is the 2025 NYC Marathon and what course does it use?

The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon starts on Staten Island on November 1 and covers 26.2 miles across all five boroughs. It uses a new course for the first time in 15 years, with fewer turns for runners in Mott Haven.

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