London and New York lead global marathon brand rankings

A new report by Brand Finance identifies the London Marathon as the world’s strongest marathon brand, while the TCS New York City Marathon holds the highest financial value. The study, which surveyed over 9,400 respondents, found that the top 50 global marathons generated approximately $6 billion in economic benefits for host cities last year.

In the rankings, London and New York maintained the top two positions. Boston rose to third place, while Paris dropped to fifth. Chicago saw the most significant improvement among the top ten, moving from 27th to 8th place. Amsterdam also climbed significantly, moving from 21st to 9th.

The New York City Marathon is noted for its high appeal among international runners, who rate its location and atmosphere exceptionally well. The event is expected to generate $1 billion in economic impact, with international visitors spending significantly more than domestic participants. Meanwhile, the London Marathon reported record interest, with over 1.3 million people applying for the 2027 race.