Dubai Marathon 2027 Bib Collection: Expo, Timings & Third-Party Pickup

Dubai Marathon 2027 bib collection takes place at The Agenda, Dubai Media City, from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 January 2027 — and there is no race-day pickup under any circumstances. If you do not collect your race pack in that four-day window, you do not run on Sunday 17 January 2027, however far you have travelled. Bring your final confirmation email and photo ID, or send someone to collect on your behalf with a printout of your confirmation letter and their own photo ID. This guide covers the collection dates and timings, what is in your race pack, what to bring, third-party pickup, the expo, and the registration, fees, refund and age-limit rules that decide whether you get a bib at all.

Dubai Marathon 2027 Bib Collection at a Glance

Dubai Marathon 2027 Bib Collection: Dates, Venue & Timings

Dubai Marathon 2027 bib collection runs over four days in race week, ending the day before the race. The collection venue and hours below come from the official race FAQ, as carried by the race’s official registration partner listings (Ahotu and World’s Marathons). The organisers have not published a separate 2027 expo programme yet — what is confirmed is the venue, the four days and the hours. Check dubaimarathon.org in race week for any last-minute change to the hours.

Where to Collect Dubai Marathon Bib

Where to collect your Dubai Marathon bib: The Agenda, Dubai Media City. That is the confirmed venue for 2027, per the official race FAQ. Some aggregator sites list a Dubai World Trade Centre expo — that is wrong for this race; go to The Agenda in Dubai Media City. The Agenda sits in the heart of Dubai Media City, close to the Al Sufouh Road stretch of the race course itself. The nearest Metro station is Dubai Internet City on the Red Line, a short taxi ride from the venue — allow extra time on Friday 15 January, which is typically the busiest collection day as international runners arrive. If you are staying near the start, Al Barsha and Dubai Media City hotels put you within a few minutes of both bib collection and the start line at the Dubai Police Academy. Our full Dubai Marathon 2027 guide covers the race itself — dates, start times, route and prizes.

Dubai Marathon Race Pack Collection

Dubai Marathon race pack collection is the same event as bib collection — “race pack” is simply the organisers’ name for what you pick up. Your race pack contains your race bib with the MikaTag timing chip attached and your technical t-shirt. Do not fold or bend the bib, do not remove the chip, and do not pin through the chip. Your finisher’s medal is not in the pack — you collect that at the finish line on race day.

Go early in the window if you can. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday are the quietest times; Friday is the busiest, and Saturday afternoon is a queue of last-minute collectors. The Saturday 5:00pm closing time is strict — the desks shut promptly, with no exceptions and no appeals. International runners should plan to arrive in Dubai by Thursday 14 January at the latest, so a delayed flight cannot cost you your race.

How to Collect Your Bib: Step by Step

1. Find your final confirmation letter. The organisers email a final confirmation letter to every entrant in November. Search your inbox (and spam folder) for it before you travel — this letter is the document the collection desk wants to see.
2. Print it if you can. A printout is safest, and it is required if someone else collects for you. A phone copy is accepted for your own collection, but a dead battery or no signal at the desk is a needless risk.
3. Go to The Agenda, Dubai Media City, between 13 and 16 January. Take your confirmation letter and a valid photo ID (passport or photo driving licence).
4. Show your documents at the desk. Staff check your confirmation against the entry list and hand over your race pack — bib with MikaTag chip attached, plus your technical t-shirt.
5. Check the pack before you leave. Confirm the name and race number on the bib match your entry, the chip is attached, and the t-shirt is the size you ordered. Mistakes are far easier to fix at the desk than at the start line.
6. Keep the bib flat and safe. Do not fold it, do not bend the chip, and keep it somewhere it cannot be creased in your luggage. You will pin it to the front of your race-day top.

What to Bring to Bib Collection

• Final confirmation email/letter — printout preferred, phone copy acceptable for your own collection.
• Valid photo ID — passport or photo driving licence. The name must match your entry.
• Your entry details — race number or booking reference, if your confirmation letter shows one, to speed up the desk check.
• A bag for your t-shirt — the pack is bulky once the shirt is in it, and you may want your hands free at the expo stands.

Can Someone Collect My Race Pack for Me?

Yes. Can someone collect my race pack for me? The organisers allow you to designate another person to collect on your behalf. The person collecting must bring a printout of the final confirmation letter you receive by email in November, plus proof of their own identity (their own photo ID). Note the word printout: for third-party pickup the official FAQ specifies a printed confirmation letter, so a phone screenshot may not be accepted — print it before you travel.

No separate authorisation letter is mentioned in the official FAQ — the printout and the collector’s own ID are what is asked for. As a precaution, it costs nothing to also send your collector with a copy of your own photo ID and a short signed note saying they are collecting on your behalf. And one hard line: your collector cannot run in your place. Bib transfers are strictly prohibited — running under another person’s entry means automatic disqualification and a permanent ban from the Dubai Marathon.

Dubai Marathon 2027 Expo

The Dubai Marathon 2027 expo is the pre-race event at The Agenda where bib collection happens — and you should set your expectations accordingly. Dubai does not run a London or Berlin-style exhibition hall. The event at The Agenda is primarily a bib and chip collection point with limited commercial stands, rather than a full expo with dozens of exhibitors. No separate 2027 exhibitor list or expo opening programme has been published yet, so treat any detailed “what’s at the expo” list you see elsewhere as yet to be confirmed.

That said, the collection hall is still worth a proper visit rather than a grab-and-go. Expect race-information desks, a small number of sponsor and running-brand stands, and the chance to sort out any entry problem face to face — something you cannot do on race morning. Buy any last-minute kit (gels, socks, sunscreen, a spare pair of laces) in Dubai’s sports shops before race week rather than counting on the expo to stock it. Bag drop is available on race morning for marathon and 10km runners near the start area — label your bag clearly with your bib number.

Dubai Marathon 2027 Registration

You cannot collect a bib you never bought. Dubai Marathon 2027 registration is the step that comes first, and the rules around it are strict: entries are non-refundable, non-transferable, and sold first-come, first-served until each distance sells out.

Is Dubai Marathon Registration Open?

Yes. Is Dubai Marathon registration open? Registration is open as of 8 November 2026 — the official site’s home page carries a “REGISTRATION OPEN” banner, and the registration page has read open since at least late October 2026. Entry is online only at dubaimarathon.org; there is no lottery, no ballot and no entry on the day.

How to Register for Dubai Marathon 2027

How to register for Dubai Marathon 2027, step by step:

1. Go to the official site. Open dubaimarathon.org and go to the “How to Register” page. Register only through the official site — third-party sellers cannot guarantee a bib.
2. Choose your distance. Pick the 42.195km marathon, the 10km road race or the 4km fun run. Check the age limit first: marathon 18+, 10km 15+, fun run all ages.
3. Create an account and complete the entry form. Registration runs through the official timing partner’s portal (reg.mikatiming.com/dubaimarathon/2027). Fill in your details and agree to the event’s rules and regulations.
4. Pay the entry fee. Marathon $150, 10km $85, 4km $50. Keep your payment confirmation — you will need the confirmation email to collect your race pack.
5. Watch for your confirmation email. Your final confirmation letter arrives by email in November and is the document you (or someone collecting on your behalf) must show at bib collection.

Dubai Marathon 2027 Registration Fee: How Much Does Dubai Marathon 2027 Cost?

How much does Dubai Marathon 2027 cost? It depends on the distance — there are no early-bird or late-entry tiers published for 2027, just one flat Dubai Marathon 2027 entry fee per distance. The fees below were verified live on the official entry-fees page (dubaimarathon.org/race-info/entry-fees/) on 8 November 2026 and are unchanged from the 2026 edition.

*The official entry-fees page currently lists the 10km and 4km start times as TBC; 8:00am and 10:00am are the start times in the race’s published schedule — confirm them on dubaimarathon.org in race week. The Dubai Marathon registration 2027 price in AED is approximate — the official fee is charged in US dollars, so the exact dirham amount depends on your card’s exchange rate on the day you pay. Visit Dubai lists the same range, AED 184–551, which matches the three dollar fees above.

Dubai Marathon 2027 10K Registration

Dubai Marathon 2027 10K registration is open on the same official portal as the marathon. The 10km road race costs $85 (about AED 312), is open to runners aged 15 and over, and starts at 8:00am — after the marathon field has gone, so the start area is calmer. It is the best option for a timed, chipped race on the same flat Jumeirah course without committing to 42km. Your 10km race pack is collected at the same place and times as the marathon packs: The Agenda, Dubai Media City, 13–16 January.

Dubai Marathon 2027 4K Fun Run Registration

Dubai Marathon 2027 4K fun run registration is also open now, at $50 (about AED 184) and open to all ages — children included, making it the family option. The 4km fun run starts at 10:00am. It is the cheapest way into the event and the only distance with no minimum age. Fun-run packs are collected at the same venue and times as the other distances, and children collecting their own pack must be accompanied by the adult who registered them.

Dubai Marathon 2027 Registration Last Date

What is the last date to register for Dubai Marathon 2027? The official site states no closing date — registration closes when each distance sells out, not on a fixed calendar date. That is the safe line: do not wait for a deadline that may never be announced.

One aggregator, World’s Marathons, lists 3 January 2027 as the registration closing date. Treat that as expected, not confirmed — it is not stated on dubaimarathon.org. In practice, the marathon has the smallest field of the three distances (4,000 entries in 2026), so registering well before January is the sensible plan either way. And remember: even if you register on the last day, you still have to collect your bib by 5:00pm on Saturday 16 January — late registration does not buy you late collection.

Dubai Marathon 2027 Age Limit

The Dubai Marathon 2027 age limit is 18 years and over for the full marathon, 15 years and over for the 10km road race, and no minimum age for the 4km fun run. Under-18s cannot enter the marathon; the fun run is the family route. Age is checked against your entry details, so enter the correct date of birth — a wrong age on the form can cause problems at the collection desk.

Dubai Marathon Entry Fee Refund & Can I Transfer My Dubai Marathon Entry?

The Dubai Marathon entry fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Can I transfer my Dubai Marathon entry to someone else? No — bib transfers are strictly prohibited. Running under another person’s entry is an automatic disqualification and a permanent ban from the Dubai Marathon. If you are injured or cannot travel, you cannot sell, give away or defer your place, and there is no refund if the event is cancelled for any reason. Only register when you are confident you can race on 17 January 2027 — and once you have registered, protect the investment by collecting your bib in the 13–16 January window.

What Happens If You Miss Bib Collection?

If you miss the Saturday 16 January 5:00pm deadline, you do not run. There is no race-day bib collection under any circumstances, no collection at the start line, and no bibs sent by post. The organisers are explicit about this, and it is the single most common way an international runner loses a Dubai Marathon entry — a Friday-night flight delay that becomes a Saturday-evening arrival is enough. Build slack into your travel: arrive by Thursday 14 January, collect your bib the same day, and spend Friday and Saturday on your taper instead of queuing. If your flight is delayed, send your hotel concierge or a friend in Dubai to collect on your behalf with the printout and their ID — that is exactly what the third-party pickup rule is for.

Before Race Week: Your Bib Collection Checklist

• November: watch for your final confirmation letter by email; print it and keep a copy on your phone.
• Before you fly: confirm your flight lands in Dubai by Thursday 14 January at the latest.
• 13–16 January: collect your pack at The Agenda, Dubai Media City — Wednesday 12:00pm–10:00pm, Thursday and Friday 10:00am–10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am–5:00pm sharp.
• At the desk: confirmation letter + photo ID; check the bib name, number and chip before you leave.
• Can’t make it? Send someone with a printout of your confirmation letter and their own photo ID — but they cannot run in your place.
• Race morning: pin the bib to the front of your top, do not fold it or remove the chip, and arrive at the Dubai Police Academy well before your start. For the free, untimed warm-up race in the same season, our Dubai Run guide covers the city’s big November fun run.

Related: check the course before race day in our Dubai Marathon 2027 route guide — map, elevation, start/finish and water stations.

Last updated: 8 November 2026