6 December 2026 · Sport
Run it or watch it: the 45th Macao International Marathon.
Published 3 October 2026
Macau's biggest race returns on Sunday 6 December 2026, and registration opened this morning: marathon and half-marathon entries at 9am today, the mini marathon at 9am tomorrow, all first-come first-served. Two thousand marathon places, a course over two bridges and past A-Ma Temple, and a 6:00am start in Taipa. If you want to run, register now; if you want to watch, here is where to stand.
Key facts
- Race day
- Sunday 6 December 2026. The 45th edition, title sponsor Galaxy Entertainment Group.
- Registration
- Open now: marathon and half opened 9am 3 October 2026; mini opens 9am 4 October. Online only at macaomarathon.com or the Macao Marathon app, first-come first-served.
- Quotas
- Marathon 2,000 places; half marathon 5,000; mini marathon 5,000.
- Start / finish
- Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Taipa. Marathon and half at 6:00am; mini at 6:20am.
- Course
- Crosses the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and the Sai Van Bridge, passes A-Ma Temple (UNESCO-listed).
- Entry fees
- Non-residents MOP400 (marathon/half) or MOP70 (mini); Macao residents MOP150 / MOP50; AGAM members MOP100 / free. Bib collection 2–5 December at Broadway Macau.
Registration is open right now
This is the urgent part. Entries are online only, through macaomarathon.com or the Macao Marathon app, and places go first-come first-served. You need an online personal account and an electronic copy of your ID (plus your AGAM card if you are a member). Marathon and half-marathon registration opened at 9am on 3 October; the mini marathon opens at 9am on 4 October. The marathon quota is up to 2,000 this year from 1,800 last year, but it still sells out.
Payment is by MPay, BOC Mobile Banking, Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, Alipay or WeChat Pay. Bibs are collected 2 to 5 December at M/F Broadway Macau with your registration receipt and ID.
The course
Start and finish at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Taipa. The route crosses the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and the Sai Van Bridge, the two spans between Taipa and the peninsula, and passes the UNESCO-listed A-Ma Temple. It is a flat, fast course with a bridge climb in the middle, and an early start: 6:00am for the marathon and half, 6:20am for the mini. There is also the Most Creative Costume Award and a carnival programme at the finish, plus Galaxy's "Run with a Partner" training scheme in its sixth year.
Watching instead
The best spectator spots are the start/finish at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, the bridge sections, and the stretch past A-Ma Temple. The 6:00am start means an early morning, but the finish area keeps the carnival going. If you are staying on the peninsula and heading to Taipa on race morning, check the road closures first.
If you're coming for race weekend, a Cotai base keeps you close to the Taipa start:
Road closures
Expect road closures on race day, but the 2026 specifics are not published yet. As a guide, in 2025 traffic was restricted from 11pm the night before, with a full cordon from 4:30am on race day, and the two race bridges closed to traffic. The Friendship Bridge and the Macao Bridge stayed open for peninsula to Taipa crossings. Check the official site closer to the date before planning any cross-harbour travel on the morning of 6 December.
Questions
When is the 2026 Macao International Marathon?
Sunday 6 December 2026, the 45th edition, title-sponsored by Galaxy Entertainment Group. The marathon and half marathon start at 6:00am; the mini marathon starts at 6:20am. Start and finish are at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Taipa.
How do I register for the 2026 Macao International Marathon?
Online only at macaomarathon.com or the Macao Marathon app, first-come first-served. Marathon and half-marathon registration opened at 9am on 3 October 2026; the mini marathon opens at 9am on 4 October. You need an online personal account and an electronic copy of your ID.
What does it cost to enter the 2026 Macao International Marathon?
For non-residents: MOP400 for the marathon or half marathon, MOP70 for the mini marathon. Macao residents pay MOP150 or MOP50; AGAM members pay MOP100 for the longer races and enter the mini free.
What is the marathon course?
Start and finish at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Taipa. The course crosses the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and the Sai Van Bridge and passes the UNESCO-listed A-Ma Temple. Quotas: 2,000 for the marathon, 5,000 each for the half and the mini.
Where is the best place to watch the marathon?
The start and finish at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Taipa, or along the bridge sections and near A-Ma Temple. The 6:00am start means an early morning; the finish area has the carnival programme and the Most Creative Costume Award.
Will roads be closed for the marathon?
Yes, but 2026 specifics are not yet published. In 2025, traffic was restricted from 11pm the night before with a full cordon from 4:30am on race day, and the two race bridges were closed to traffic: the Friendship Bridge and Macao Bridge stayed open for peninsula-Taipa crossings.
Sources
- Sports Bureau: 2026 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon announcement, Macao SAR Government Portal, 25 September 2026
- Registration: macaomarathon.com, read 3 October 2026
- Macao International Marathon 2026: dates and registration, thebay.mo, September 2026
Keep planning
More for the trip
The marathon lands the day after Light Up Macao opens, so read the Light Up Macao guide for that evening. For beds near the start in Taipa, see the hotels guide, and the practical guide covers money, SIM cards and getting around.