Where to Watch the NYC Marathon in 2026
Leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air – it’s time to plan where to watch the NYC Marathon! Every fall, New Yorkers from Staten Island to the Bronx take to the streets to cheer on the most widespread athletic event in our city. Nothing brings the city together quite like it. The cheers and signs of encouragement follow the runners across all five boroughs. Before you hit the sidewalks on Marathon Sunday, read our tips on where to watch the NYC Marathon – from wherever you are this October!
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Where to watch the NYC Marathon in Brooklyn
After crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island (where there is no spectator area), the runners enter Bay Ridge. Take the R train to 95th Street in Bay Ridge to watch runners embark on their trek up 4th Avenue in Brooklyn!
Runners continue up 4th Ave through Sunset Park and Park Slope. Make a sign and stake out a spot on the sidewalk to cheer runners up through south Brooklyn!
Take the G train to Greenpoint at Nassau Ave or Greenpoint Ave and watch runners make their way through North Brooklyn as they conclude the longest section of the marathon: the Brooklyn leg!
How to watch the NYC Marathon in Queens
A popular cheering spot is the halfway point! The Pulaski Bridge marks the spot where runners move from Brooklyn to Queens. Spectators are recommended to gather on the Queens side of the Pulaski Bridge to encourage runners through the remaining three boroughs!
While the race makes its quick dip into Queens, there are plenty of ways to get to Long Island City to watch the race. Court Square, Queensboro Plaza, Hunters Point Ave & Vernon Ave stations all bring spectators close to the race route. Check the official map for transit options and say hello to the World’s Borough and LET’S GO to the marathon runners!
How To Watch NYC Marathon Runners in Manhattan
After crossing the Queensboro Bridge, the NYC Marathon climbs up Manhattan’s Upper East Side via First Avenue.
The Charity Cheer Zone at First Ave and 120th Street takes the energy of the NYC marathon and puts it to a good cause! Here, bystanders are able to donate to the marathon’s 500+ official charity partners.
The NYC Marathon Passes Through The Bronx
This year, the NYC Marathon route through the Bronx has changed slightly, so you’ll want to adjust your plan for where to watch the NYC Marathon in 2026. This year, instead of turning left off of Alexander Avenue onto East 138th Street, the marathon will turn left on East 141st Street, then left on Third Avenue and right on East 138th Street to go over the Madison Avenue Bridge and back into Manhattan, so plan accordingly!
The Final Stretch of the NYC Marathon
As the marathon makes its way down Fifth Avenue, stake out a spot along Central Park East to watch runners from East 105th Street down to East 90th Street. Along the way, they will pass Central Park’s Conservatory Garden, El Museo del Barrio, The Museum of the City of New York, The Jewish Museum and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.
Catch the race before it goes into Central Park at Columbus Circle, a short walk up Broadway from Times Square!
Standing room only for spectators inside the park from Columbus Circle to the finish line at the Standing Spectator Area inside Central Park! No chairs allowed, and space may be limited, so keep alert for updates from NYPD and Parks Department officials on site!
Where can I watch the NYC Marathon from home?
Local station ABC 7 NY will be broadcasting live all day during the race! Pre-race coverage begins at 7am ET, with live coverage of the race from 8:00am until 1:00pm.
Stream live coverage of the race on ABC7NY.com from 7:00am - 1:00pm ET. Live footage of the finish line will be streaming from 10:30am until 6:00 pm in the evening.
ESPN 2 will broadcast nationwide live coverage of the NYC Marathon from 8:00 am ET - 11:30 am, with live broadcast in Spanish simultaneously available on ESPN3.
The best place to watch the NYC Marathon is in Brooklyn, and we have the complete guide just for you.
