When the Munich Marathon by Brooks takes over the Bavarian capital from October 9–11, 2026, an absolute highlight awaits you in the heart of the city—and you won’t even have to run the 42 kilometers to experience it. The Runners Festival by Brooks will take place at Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz in Munich’s world-famous Olympic Park. Last year, up to 80,000 visitors attended this massive open-air event. The best part: Admission is completely free! Whether you’re a passionate marathon runner, just in the mood for sporting events, or want to enjoy the incomparable atmosphere : This weekend, the Olympic Park is the absolute place to be in Munich.
Here’s what to expect during the festival weekend
As early as the last weekend in September, the Olympic Park was transformed into a free outdoor sports festivalfeaturingover 60 sports. Now, Munich is set to host its next sporting highlight. For three days, the Olympic Park grounds will become a hotspot for sports, health, and lifestyle. Numerous exhibitors will showcase exciting new products and hands-on activities. The “Get Ready With Brooks” event will help you achieve the perfect look with free braids, nail art, temporary tattoos, and barber services. Plus, live DJs, delicious food, and a laid-back festival vibe will make the grounds the perfect gathering spot.
The supporting program kicks off on Friday, October 9 (1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.): At 6:00 p.m., you can stretch your legs and kick off the weekend with a relaxed Shake-Out Run —all without any pressure. On Saturday, October 10 (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), the athletic action continues with a community run and the popular Kids Run, while the traditional pasta party behind the Coubertin beer garden provides the necessary refreshments.
Excitement on Marathon Sunday & the Vibe in the Cheering Zone
On Sunday, October 11 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), the festival finally reaches its absolute highlight when the major races begin. This year, a record number of 40,000 registered runners from 130 nations have signed up . The marathon starts and ends in the Olympic Park. The race route passes by well-known landmarks such as Odeonsplatz, the English Garden, and the Werksviertel.
Those who’d rather cheer on the runners than participate themselves can line the course to liven up the mood and soak up the atmosphere . On Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., a dedicated cheering zone will be set up at Odeonsplatz to loudly carry the runners across the finish line. So grab your friends and family, soak up the unique energy, and experience the running festival up close !
All the information about the Runners Festival at a glance
🗓️ Event dates: Friday, Oct. 9 (1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.), Saturday, Oct. 10 (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.), Sunday, Oct. 11 (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
📍 Venue: Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz, Olympic Park
🎟️ Admission: free
🚂 Getting There: It’s best to take the U3 subway to Olympiazentrum, as there will be road closures around the venue.
