What if you ran your next marathon in Amsterdam? With its flat, fast and spectacular course, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon has become one of the standout events on the European marathon calendar.
The 2026 Amsterdam Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2026. This edition will welcome up to 32,000 marathon runners, starting and finishing in the legendary Olympic Stadium. The route takes in the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark and the banks of the Amstel River.
Amsterdam is also a World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race and regularly ranks among the fastest marathons in the world.
So, how do you get a race bib? What is the course like? Is it really suited to setting a personal best? What budget should you plan for? And how can you prepare properly for race day?
Here is our complete guide to the 2026 Amsterdam Marathon.
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The history of the Amsterdam Marathon
The Amsterdam Marathon has a history that is closely tied to the Olympic movement.
Today’s route is part of the legacy of the 1928 Olympic Games, starting and finishing in the Olympic Stadium built for the event. Over the years, the race has grown into a major international fixture. In 2025, more than 60,000 runners from 140 countries took part in the various races over the weekend.
The marathon now attracts runners of every level. Some come simply to enjoy an unforgettable experience in Amsterdam, while others choose this race specifically to chase a personal best.
That is probably one of Amsterdam’s greatest strengths: it successfully combines a sightseeing marathon with a performance-focused marathon.
2026 Amsterdam Marathon registration
The Amsterdam Marathon has become so popular that you now need to plan your registration well in advance.
For 2026, registration opened on December 20, 2025, and the 32,000-runner quota was reached quickly. The official marathon entry fee was €145.
There is no official waiting list. For runners who did not secure a bib through standard registration, the organizers highlight the option of using their official resale platform.
Run for a charity
You can also take part through the KWF Run Against Cancer program.
The concept is simple: in return for raising a minimum of €750, runners receive an entry and support cancer research.
Book through a tour operator
International runners can also book packages through specialist partners.
These may include a guaranteed race bib, hotel, flights, transfers and sightseeing activities. It is a more expensive option, but an appealing choice if you want to simplify all the logistics of your trip.
Our advice: if you want to run Amsterdam in the next few years, add the registration opening date to your calendar. Waiting just a few weeks may be enough to miss out on a bib.
A flat and fast course
This is probably the main reason to choose Amsterdam.
The course is known for being flat, fast and historic. The Amsterdam Marathon also holds the World Athletics Platinum Label, the highest level of recognition for a road race.
There are no major elevation challenges. This makes it easier to maintain a consistent pace and seriously target a personal best. But beware: a flat course does not mean an easy marathon.
The lack of major climbs can actually tempt runners to start too fast. In a marathon, the kilometers run too quickly in the first half often come at a far greater cost over the final 10 kilometers.
The 2026 Amsterdam Marathon course
The race starts and finishes in the Olympic Stadium, immediately giving the event a special atmosphere.
From the opening kilometers, you will run past some of Amsterdam’s most iconic landmarks.
The Rijksmuseum
One of the most impressive sections comes very early in the race. At around 4 kilometers, runners pass through the Rijksmuseum. It is a spectacular moment and one of the marathon’s signature images.
But remember, it is only the start of the race. Enjoy the atmosphere, but do not get carried away.
Through southern Amsterdam
The route then continues through several Amsterdam neighborhoods, including the Zuidas business district. This is a section where you should stay focused on your pace and resist the urge to make up time.
There is still a very long way to go.
The Amstel River
From around kilometer 14, one of the race’s most distinctive sections begins: the kilometers along the Amstel River.
The route follows part of the 1928 Olympic course, passing houses, more open scenery and windmills. This section covers around 12 kilometers and takes runners beyond halfway before heading back towards Amsterdam.
It is a beautiful part of the course, but it also demands concentration. By then, you are already in the second half of the marathon.
The return to Amsterdam
After following the Amstel, the course gradually returns towards the city center. This is when the kilometers begin to count. You are already past halfway and fatigue starts to build in your legs. This is when pace management and marathon fueling become essential.
Vondelpark
The route also runs through Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s most famous park.
Runners pass through it twice, making it an especially good spot for spectators. On the second pass, around kilometer 40, the atmosphere can provide a real boost of energy.
Only a few kilometers remain before the Olympic Stadium.
How to pace the 2026 Amsterdam Marathon
Amsterdam’s main trap is simple: the course is so runnable that it is easy to go out too fast.
The first 10 kilometers
Do not try to bank time. If your goal is to run 5:00/km, do not start at 4:50/km simply because you feel good.
Early-marathon sensations can be deceptive. Your goal is to settle into your target pace quickly and stay there.
From 10 to 30 kilometers
This is where you need to be consistent. The course is ideal for holding a steady pace, so use it to run efficiently, drink regularly and stick to your nutrition plan. The stretch along the Amstel is particularly well suited to focusing on your race strategy.
Do not try to accelerate before kilometer 30.
After kilometer 30
This is where your marathon truly begins.
If you have managed the first 30 kilometers well, you should still be able to hold your pace. And if your legs still feel strong at kilometer 35, you can gradually pick it up. The second pass through Vondelpark and the run back to the Olympic Stadium are your opportunity to give everything you have.
Practical information
The 2026 Amsterdam Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 18, with a 9:00 a.m. start and a 6-hour time limit.
Bib collection
Bib collection takes place at the International Marathon Expo, at RAI Amsterdam:
- Thursday, October 15: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Friday, October 16: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 17: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Runners living abroad must also collect their bibs in person. Make sure you arrive in Amsterdam early enough.
How long should you stay in Amsterdam?
For runners traveling from abroad, 2 to 4 nights is usually enough.
Arriving on Friday gives you Saturday to collect your bib and enjoy the city at an easy pace, without walking too much before the race.
Most importantly, do not turn Saturday into a 30,000-step sightseeing day!
What is the weather like in Amsterdam in October?
In mid-October, temperatures are generally favorable for marathon running, but Dutch weather can change quickly.
The main factor to watch is probably the wind.
On the more exposed sections, particularly along the Amstel, a headwind can make your target pace much harder to hold than expected. Check the forecast closely in the days before the race and adjust your goal if necessary.
What budget should you plan for the Amsterdam Marathon?
Your budget will depend mainly on where you are traveling from and your accommodation.
For a 2- to 4-night stay, here are some estimated costs:
- Race bib: around €145
- Round-trip travel: around €50 to €300 from within Europe, and more from long-haul destinations
- Accommodation: around €100 to €250 per night
- Food and local transport: around €40 to €80 per day
👉 For a European runner, expect to spend around €500 to €1,500 per person for the whole weekend.
If you are traveling from further away, your budget will naturally be higher. Tour operator packages may also cost more, but they often include the race bib, hotel and part of the trip logistics.
How to prepare for the 2026 Amsterdam Marathon
Amsterdam is a particularly appealing marathon if you are targeting a fast time.
But that is exactly why a fast course requires race-specific preparation.
The goal is not simply to run faster. You need to be able to sustain your marathon pace for more than 42 kilometers, while managing fatigue, aid stations and nutrition effectively.
That is where RunMotion can support you.
With the app, you can follow a personalized marathon training plan based on your level, goal and race date.
Your preparation combines different types of sessions, including endurance runs, intervals, threshold workouts, long runs and recovery, helping you improve progressively and arrive on race day with the best chance of reaching your goal.
👉 Discover the RunMotion marathon training plan and build your Amsterdam preparation around your goal.
And if you are chasing a personal best, remember one simple rule: your training should leave you strong after kilometer 30.
So, should you run the Amsterdam Marathon?
Yes, especially if you are looking for a fast, accessible European marathon.
Amsterdam has plenty going for it:
✅ a flat and fast course
✅ a start and finish in an Olympic stadium
✅ iconic landmarks including the Rijksmuseum and Vondelpark
✅ kilometers along the Amstel River
✅ a truly international event
✅ a course built for chasing a personal best
Its main downside is ultimately its popularity: race bibs sell out very quickly. If you want to run Amsterdam, it is best to plan your registration early. Once you have your bib, the most important part remains: preparing well for the 42.195 km.
With such a fast course, the Amsterdam Marathon could be the perfect opportunity to take your race performance to the next level.
A controlled start, a steady pace, a solid nutrition strategy and the right training plan: everything is in place to chase your next personal best in Amsterdam.