How to Get Into the TCS Amsterdam Marathon: Registration, Charity Bibs, Travel Packages and Resale
The complete guide to securing a place in the TCS Amsterdam Marathon: how Amsterdam's first-come, first-served registration works, when entries usually open, why December matters, the KWF Run Against Cancer charity route, official travel packages for international runners, Atleta Resale, Business Run entries, and what to do if the marathon has already sold out.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is one of Europe's fastest major city marathons: flat, scenic, international, and built around one of the best finish-line venues in running. The race starts and finishes at Amsterdam's 1928 Olympic Stadium, runs through Vondelpark, passes beneath the Rijksmuseum, follows long stretches along the Amstel River, and returns to the stadium for a finish that feels properly theatrical without needing confetti cannons or motivational fog machines.
The race is also popular enough that getting in now requires planning. Amsterdam is not a ballot. It is not a lottery. It is not a "submit an application and wait three months" marathon. The main entry path is first-come, first-served, and once the field limit is reached, the obvious door closes.
That does not mean you are out of options. It means you need to know the hierarchy: general registration first, charity and travel packages next, official resale if you missed the first wave, and Business Run if your employer has a team route.
Amsterdam Marathon Entry at a Glance
- Race: TCS Amsterdam Marathon
- 2026 race weekend: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Marathon race day: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Start: Olympic Stadium area, Amsterdam
- Finish: Olympic Stadium
- Weekend field size: 60,000+ participants across all distances
- Marathon field: Approximately 32,000 marathon runners
- Entry system: First-come, first-served, not a ballot
- Registration platform: Atleta
- 2026 registration opened: Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12:00 noon CET
- Current 2026 status: Marathon and half marathon sold out
- Charity route: KWF Run Against Cancer, with a minimum fundraising commitment
- Official travel partner: Globalrunning.com
- Official resale: Atleta Resale
- World Athletics classification: Platinum Label Road Race
- World Marathon Major? No. Amsterdam is a Platinum Label race, but not an Abbott World Marathon Major.
- Best single instruction: Create your Atleta account before registration opens. Be ready at noon CET on opening day.
The Core Difference: Amsterdam Is Not a Ballot
Many runners now think of big international marathons through the World Marathon Major lens: enter a ballot, wait for results, hope the running gods are feeling generous. Amsterdam does not work that way.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon uses a first-come, first-served registration model. When registration opens, runners claim places in order until the field limit is reached. There is no random draw and no long uncertainty window. If you are ready when registration opens and complete the entry process, you can get in. If you wait, you may not.
What that means in practice
Amsterdam rewards preparation more than luck. The runner who has an Atleta account created, payment ready, and a calendar alert set for registration day has a meaningful advantage over the runner who sees a social post three days later and thinks, "I should probably look into that."
The 2025 anniversary edition sold out quickly, and the 2026 marathon and half marathon have also reached capacity. Treat Amsterdam like a fast-selling concert ticket, not a relaxed registration form you can come back to later with a cup of tea and heroic optimism.
Path 1: General Registration, First-Come, First-Served
General registration is the main entry route and the one most runners should try first. It is also the route where preparation matters most.
The platform
Registration runs through Atleta. Create your Atleta account before registration opens. Confirm your email address, make sure you can log in, and do not wait until opening day to discover that a verification code is hiding in a spam folder like a tiny administrative troll.
When registration opens
Amsterdam registration typically opens in December for the following October's race. For the 2026 edition, registration opened on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12:00 noon CET.
The exact date can change by year, so the right move is to watch the official TCS Amsterdam Marathon website in October and November, then set a calendar alert as soon as the opening date is announced.
What to have ready
- Your Atleta account, already created and tested
- Payment details ready
- Your expected finish time
- Your preferred distance
- Any team, group or corporate information if applicable
Opening day strategy
Be on the registration page five minutes before opening. If registration opens at 12:00 noon CET, be logged in by 11:55. Do not use opening day to compare hotel neighborhoods, text three friends, or decide whether October in Amsterdam sounds "kind of fun." Decide before.
General registration is the cleanest and usually cheapest way into the race. If you want Amsterdam, this is the path to prioritize.
Can you change distance later?
Amsterdam has historically allowed certain distance changes before the published deadline, depending on availability. Downgrading from marathon to a shorter distance is more realistic than upgrading into a sold-out marathon. Check the official registration terms for the current edition before assuming a change is possible.
Can you transfer your bib?
Yes, Amsterdam offers an official ticket transfer and resale process through Atleta. Use the official dashboard and resale tools only. Do not buy or sell bibs through informal social media messages, private bank transfers, or "my cousin has a spare bib" arrangements. That is how race-week chaos gets its little passport stamped.
Path 2: KWF Run Against Cancer Charity Bibs
The official charity route for the TCS Amsterdam Marathon is the KWF Run Against Cancer programme. This is the most reliable entry route if general registration has sold out and you are willing to fundraise.
How charity entry works
Charity bibs provide guaranteed entry in exchange for a fundraising commitment for KWF, the Dutch Cancer Society. The exact fundraising minimum and package details should be checked on the current race website before committing, but the programme has operated as the official charity route for Amsterdam runners.
Who charity entry is best for
This path makes sense if you missed general registration, want a guaranteed entry, and have either a personal connection to the cause or a realistic fundraising network. Charity entry is not "free entry with a nice cause attached." It is a commitment to raise a specific amount by a specific deadline.
The fundraising reality
Charity entry can be a great option, but be honest before committing. If you are comfortable asking friends, family, colleagues, and running-club contacts for support, the route is straightforward. If fundraising makes your soul leave your body and hide behind the sofa, the official travel package or resale route may be a cleaner fit.
Path 3: Official Travel Packages for International Runners
Globalrunning.com is the official travel partner of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. Travel packages are the most useful route for international runners who want guaranteed entry before booking flights and hotels.
What travel packages usually include
- Guaranteed race entry
- Hotel accommodation for race weekend
- Race-weekend logistics support
- Package options based on room type, number of nights, and travel needs
Who this route is for
Travel packages are best for runners coming from outside the Netherlands, especially from the United States, Canada, Australia, or other long-haul origins. If you need confirmed entry before buying flights, a travel package removes the uncertainty.
The cost tradeoff
This is usually more expensive than general registration. You are paying for certainty, accommodation, and convenience. For a runner planning a once-in-a-decade marathon trip to Amsterdam, that premium may be worth it. For a runner based in Europe who can be online at noon CET on registration day, general entry is usually the better first attempt.
Path 4: Atleta Ticket Resale
Once the marathon sells out, Atleta Resale becomes the official route for runner-to-runner ticket transfers. This is an important safety feature. It keeps transfers inside the official platform and reduces the risk of fake bibs, duplicate tickets, or race-week scams.
How it works
Registered runners who can no longer participate can list their ticket through their Atleta dashboard. Other runners can then claim available tickets through the official resale page.
Private resale vs public resale
Atleta Resale can support private transfers through a direct link and public resale through the official resale page. The details and deadlines vary by edition, so check the current resale instructions before making plans.
The practical limitation
Resale is not a waitlist. Availability depends entirely on registered runners choosing to list their bibs. More tickets often appear closer to race day as injuries, travel issues, and schedule conflicts surface, but there is no guarantee.
Resale safety rule
Use the official Atleta Resale page only. If someone offers you a bib through a social media group and wants payment by bank transfer, treat that as a flaming little warning flare.
Path 5: Business Run and Corporate Teams
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon also offers Business Run options for companies and corporate teams. This route is not usually relevant to solo runners, but it can matter if your employer participates or has a wellness programme that supports endurance events.
Who this works for
Business Run entry is best for employees of companies that want to register a team. Team registration may have different capacity rules, pricing, and package structures than individual general registration.
What to do
Ask your HR, benefits, wellness, or employee engagement team whether the company has ever participated in the Amsterdam Marathon Business Run. If you work for a large company with a Dutch or European office, this route is worth checking before you assume the race is completely closed.
Which Entry Path Is Right for You?
You can be online when registration opens
Try general registration first. Create your Atleta account in advance, set a December calendar alert, and be ready at noon CET.
You missed general registration
Check the KWF Run Against Cancer charity route, then check official travel packages and Atleta Resale.
You are traveling internationally
Consider an official travel package if you need guaranteed entry before booking flights and hotel.
You are flexible and patient
Monitor Atleta Resale. It is official and safe, but availability is unpredictable.
Your employer supports race teams
Ask about Business Run entry. Corporate options can sometimes remain available after individual race entries sell out.
The Annual Amsterdam Marathon Entry Timeline
| Period | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| October | Amsterdam Marathon race weekend | Watch for next-year registration announcements after the race |
| October to November | Registration details are usually announced | Create or update your Atleta account |
| December | General registration opens, typically at noon CET | Be online before registration opens and complete entry quickly |
| After sellout | General marathon entry closes | Move to KWF charity, travel package, Business Run or resale options |
| Summer to early autumn | Training block begins for most runners | Build your race-specific Amsterdam training plan |
| Race weekend | Marathon Expo and bib pickup | Collect your bib before race day. No race-morning pickup. |
| Sunday in October | Race day | Start near the Olympic Stadium, finish inside the stadium |
The single most important moment is the December registration opening. Everything else is Plan B, Plan C, or Plan D wearing different shoes.
Logistics: Getting to Amsterdam, the Marathon Expo and Race Day
Getting to Amsterdam
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of Europe's best-connected airports and is directly linked to Amsterdam Centraal by train. The ride from Schiphol to the city center is typically around 15 to 20 minutes, which makes Amsterdam one of the easier international marathon trips logistically.
Runners coming from the UK can also use Eurostar to Amsterdam Centraal. Once airport transfers and security time are included, the train can be competitive with flying and considerably less spiritually abrasive.
Where to stay
The Olympic Stadium sits in Amsterdam-Zuid, near Vondelpark, Oud-Zuid, and the Museum Quarter. Hotels in Oud-Zuid, De Pijp, Museumplein, and around Vondelpark make race morning simpler. Central Amsterdam is also workable because public transport is strong, but staying closer to the stadium reduces race-morning variables.
Book accommodation once your entry is confirmed. Amsterdam is already expensive in October, and marathon weekend adds another layer of hotel-price electricity.
The Marathon Expo
Bib pickup takes place at the Marathon Expo at RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. Bibs are not collected on race morning. Bring your registration confirmation and photo ID, and allow enough time for crowds, sponsor booths, and the inevitable moment where you almost buy socks you do not need.
Starting areas
The Amsterdam Marathon uses starting areas assigned by expected finish time. The most iconic start is inside the Olympic Stadium, but not every runner starts from the same exact point. Faster runners and certain waves may be assigned different starting areas than later waves. Check your final race instructions carefully.
Race-day course notes
Amsterdam is fast, but not featureless. The Amstel River section can be exposed to wind, the course has several rhythm changes, and the late return toward the Olympic Stadium requires focus after the scenic parts have already done their postcard work. The finish inside the stadium is the payoff.
Read the complete Amsterdam Marathon course guide and pacing strategy →
FAQ
Is the Amsterdam Marathon a ballot or lottery?
No. The TCS Amsterdam Marathon uses first-come, first-served registration. Places are allocated when registration opens and remain available only until the race reaches capacity.
When does Amsterdam Marathon registration open?
Registration typically opens in December for the following October's race. The 2026 edition opened on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 12:00 noon CET.
How quickly does Amsterdam Marathon sell out?
Recent editions have sold out quickly. The 2026 marathon and half marathon are already sold out, so runners should treat opening day as the primary registration window rather than assuming entries will remain available for weeks.
What platform is Amsterdam Marathon registration on?
Registration runs through Atleta. Create your account before registration opens and make sure you can log in before opening day.
What is the Amsterdam Marathon charity option?
The official charity route is the KWF Run Against Cancer programme, which provides guaranteed entry in exchange for a fundraising commitment for cancer research.
Is there a waitlist for the Amsterdam Marathon?
Amsterdam does not operate a traditional waitlist in the way some runners might expect. After sellout, the best official routes are KWF charity entry, official travel packages, Business Run options and Atleta Resale.
Can I buy an Amsterdam Marathon bib from another runner?
Yes, but only through the official Atleta Resale or transfer process. Avoid informal social media sales, private payment links, and bank-transfer requests.
Is Amsterdam a World Marathon Major?
No. Amsterdam is a World Athletics Platinum Label race, which is an elite road-race classification, but it is not part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Who is the official travel partner?
Globalrunning.com is the official travel partner of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon and offers guaranteed-entry packages with accommodation and travel support.
Where is bib pickup?
Bib pickup is at the Marathon Expo at RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre during race weekend. There is no race-day bib pickup.
Train for Amsterdam with the course in mind
Amsterdam is flat and fast, but the Amstel River, late-race rhythm changes, wind exposure and stadium finish all reward a specific race plan.
Build your Amsterdam Marathon training plan →