Paul Nicolaou | Executive Director, Business Sydney | Mob: 0419 400 038

The Sydney Marathon, now in its second year as an international “major”, is poised to generate an economic boost of $100 million or more for Sydney while showcasing our city to the world and a big international audience.

Business Sydney and leading accountancy and advisory firm William Buck said today Sunday’s marathon, with the finish line at the Sydney Opera House and with a spectacular harbour backdrop, has attracted entrants from a phenomenal 162 countries.

The huge surge in applications follows the Sydney Marathon’s status for a second year as an Abbott World Marathon Major alongside New York, London, Tokyo, Boston, Chicago and Berlin.

The United States, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and China account for the biggest number of international entrants for Sunday’s race.

Business Sydney Executive Director, Paul Nicolaou, said Destination NSW had played a major part in Sydney gaining its status as a marathon “major”.

“The Sydney Marathon achieved its elevated international status thanks to Destination NSW’s efforts over a three-year candidacy process and review period,” Mr Nicolaou said.

“Predictions that Sydney’s new status would drive a surge in international and interstate runners along with families, friends and supporters have proved correct.

“Destination NSW forecast that the Sydney Marathon would help put NSW on course to achieve its aim to grow the visitor economy to $91 billion by 2035.

“NSW Government support through Destination NSW was a requirement for the Sydney Marathon to achieve its Abbott World Marathon Majors status.”

William Buck Chief Economist, Besa Deda, said the Sydney Marathon would generate an estimated $74 million in direct spending by participants. Expenditure by accompanying visitors and spectators, which is likely to be more than $30 million, would provide an additional boost to the economy.

“As we’ve seen from media coverage, there has been a massive 56 per cent increase in ballot applications compared to last year with international runners representing the largest geographic group of applicants,” Ms Deda said.

“Last year, international runners accounted for more than half of the field, highlighting just how tourism-intensive this event has become.

“The economic impact has increased significantly since late 2024, when Sydney became the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major.

“Last year was Sydney’s first as a World Marathon Major attracting participants from more than 100 countries with the marathon field expanding further this year.”

The Sydney Marathon 2026 features:

  • A global audience spanning 162 countries with more than 123,000 total ballot entries submitted from around the world.
  • Around 40,000 runners from 162 countries participate on race day, representing a massive surge in international demand following Sydney's status as an Abbott World Marathon Major.
     
  • Organisers expect a dedicated group of more than 80,000 runners and expo attendees plus hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the course.

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David Jones - Public Affairs Manager | 0448 285 996

David is a Walkley Award-winning journalist with a distinguished career spanning more than half a century in print, television and radio journalism, political and corporate affairs and high-level media relations including incident and issues management.

Media Enquiries
David Jones | david.jones@businesssydney.com

Besa Deda | Chief Economist, William Buck Australia
besa.deda@williambuck.com