Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes 2026 – France

What to expect in 2026

The Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes is a major French road-running event connecting Nice and Cannes along the French Riviera. Organized by Azur Sport Organisation and affiliated with the French Athletics Federation, the event combines a full marathon with several shorter and team-based formats.

The main marathon covers 42.195 km between the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and the seafront in Cannes. The course follows the Mediterranean coastline and passes through several communities of the Alpes-Maritimes, giving runners views of the sea, beaches, waterfront areas and Riviera architecture.

The 2026 programme is limited to 22,000 runners across all distances, including 15,000 places for the main marathon. The organizer describes the event as the largest marathon in France after Paris and reports that participants from around 90 nations have taken part across the event’s history.

Alongside the individual marathon, participants can choose the 20 km Nice-Villeneuve-Loubet race, the 2×21.1 km format for pairs, or the Marathon Relay for teams of three to six runners. These formats allow participants with different goals and levels of experience to take part in the same Riviera running weekend.

The organizer also places considerable emphasis on music and atmosphere. Musical entertainment is positioned approximately every 2 km along the marathon route, while refreshment points provide water, food and energy products throughout the course.

Match/event dates

The Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes 2026 takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

The principal programme includes:

• Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes
• 20 km Nice-Villeneuve-Loubet
• 2×21.1 km
• Marathon Relay for teams of three to six runners

The official race programme also includes the Marathon Expo and bib collection before race day. The main marathon starts in Nice and finishes in Cannes, while the 20 km race finishes in Villeneuve-Loubet.

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Stadium & sports venue

The Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes does not use a conventional stadium. It is a point-to-point road race running along the French Riviera.

The main marathon starts on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, in front of the Théâtre de Verdure and close to the Hôtel Le Méridien. The finish is on the Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, near the Palais des Festivals and Congresses.

The route passes through a succession of coastal communities, including Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Antibes Juan-les-Pins and Vallauris Golfe-Juan before reaching Cannes.

The course is officially measured according to French Athletics Federation and World Athletics road-race standards. The event therefore combines a certified competitive road course with the visual character of the Mediterranean coastline.

The 20 km race follows the first portion of the marathon route before finishing at Parking des Maurettes in Villeneuve-Loubet, opposite the Marina Baie des Anges.

Full fixture or event schedule

The event consists of four principal race formats.

Individual Marathon

The main 42.195 km race travels from Nice to Cannes. It is the signature distance and has the largest individual field.

20 km Nice-Villeneuve-Loubet

This race uses the first part of the marathon route. Participants start alongside the marathon field in Nice and finish in Villeneuve-Loubet.

2×21.1 km

The two-person format divides the marathon distance into two equal sections. The first runner travels from Nice to Antibes Juan-les-Pins, while the second runner continues from Antibes to Cannes.

Marathon Relay

The relay uses the complete marathon course and provides five official relay-change points. These are located at Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Antibes Juan-les-Pins and Vallauris Golfe-Juan.

Teams can consist of three, four, five or six runners, with each runner completing one continuous section. Relay exchanges must take place at the designated exchange points.

Teams, athletes & participants

The event welcomes individual marathon runners, pairs, shorter-distance runners and relay teams.

The individual marathon is open to licensed and non-licensed runners born in 2007 or earlier. The 2×21.1 km and 20 km events are open to runners born in 2009 or earlier. Relay age requirements depend on the number of runners in the team, with six-person relays allowing younger participants than three-person teams.

The organizer has allocated a maximum of 22,000 participants across the event’s distances, including 15,000 marathon places. The official website currently indicates that the event is sold out.

Elite and preferential runners have dedicated starting arrangements. Runners seeking a preferential marathon bib for a sub-three-hour target must provide qualifying marathon performance evidence from the applicable previous seasons.

The event also attracts international runners. The organizer reports that approximately 30% of the participants in the previous edition were international competitors, demonstrating the event’s broad international participation.

Tournament format & competition structure

The individual marathon is a single 42.195 km timed road race. There are no heats or knockout stages.

Starting corrals are used to organize the field according to expected performance. Elite runners start first, followed by other runners in the relevant starting groups.

The 2×21.1 km race divides the marathon into two equal 21.1 km sections. The first runner starts in Nice and hands over to the second runner at Antibes Juan-les-Pins.

The relay provides a more flexible team format. Teams choose three, four, five or six runners, but every team must complete the entire marathon distance using the designated exchange points. A runner cannot complete multiple separate sections.

The 20 km race provides a shorter individual alternative, following the first half of the main marathon route.

All race formats use electronic timing and official classifications.

Match/event times

The official marathon programme begins with a disabled-athlete start at 7:57 a.m., followed by the elite marathon start at 8:00 a.m. and the general marathon field from 8:03 a.m. Additional waves may be introduced if required by the organizer.

The 20 km race shares the general start arrangement, beginning from the Promenade des Anglais with the relevant marathon field.

The official time limit for the individual marathon is 6 hours. The organizer publishes intermediate cut-off points, including checkpoints at 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 21 km, 25 km, 30 km, 35 km, 40 km and 42 km.

The 20 km event has a three-hour maximum time, while the 2×21.1 km and relay formats have a six-hour overall limit.

Participants are advised to enter their starting corral at least 30 minutes before their start.

Ticket types

The event uses race registrations rather than spectator tickets. The official 2026 registration prices are divided into several race formats and registration phases.

For the individual marathon, the published prices for non-FFA members convert approximately as follows:

• First 1,000 marathon registrations: $77.22 USD
• Registrations 1,001–5,000: $88.92 USD
• Registrations 5,001–10,000: $100.62 USD
• Registrations from 10,001 onward: $112.32 USD

For FFA members:

• First 1,000 registrations: $72.54 USD
• Registrations 1,001–5,000: $84.24 USD
• Registrations 5,001–10,000: $94.77 USD
• Registrations from 10,001 onward: $106.47 USD

The 2×21.1 km prices were published per pair:

• First 500 participants / 250 teams: $99.45 USD per team
• Next registration tier: $111.15 USD per team
• Final tier: $128.70 USD per team

The 20 km prices were:

• First 500 registrations: $45.63 USD
• Later registrations: $57.33 USD

The relay prices were:

• Six-person relay: $336.96 USD
• Five-person relay: $280.80 USD
• Four-person relay: $224.64 USD
• Three-person relay: $168.48 USD

The organizer states that $1.17 USD was approximately equivalent to €1 for these conversions. The official registration also included a small charitable contribution to the Banque Alimentaire.

Ticket release phases

The marathon uses progressive registration pricing, with the entry fee increasing as the participant field fills.

For non-FFA marathon runners, the first 1,000 places were offered at the lowest published tier, followed by a second tier through the 5,000th registration, a third through the 10,000th registration and a final tier until online registration closed or capacity was reached.

The 20 km race similarly used two registration tiers, while the 2×21.1 km event used three.

The official website currently displays the 2026 event as SOLD OUT. The 20 km and 2×21.1 km race pages are also marked sold out, while the relay page indicates limited registrations and sold-out status.

No race bibs are distributed on race morning. Participants must collect their bibs from the official Marathon Expo before the race.

VIP & hospitality options

The event offers a dedicated public VIP experience in Cannes at the Rotonde Lérins within the Palais des Festivals.

The official VIP package includes:

• VIP registration package: $228.15 USD per person with race bib
• VIP package without bib: $117.00 USD per person
• VIP gift
• Access to the VIP area shortly after the finish
• Hot and cold lunch buffet
• Beer and soft drinks
• Post-race recovery massages
• Photobooth and photo stands
• Relaxation area
• Return shuttle between Cannes and Nice

The VIP hospitality area provides views over the Bay of Cannes, the Lérins Islands and the Estérel massif.

Corporate participants can also choose a Riviera Premium package that includes dedicated corporate services, VIP access and hospitality facilities.

Stadium & event rules

The event follows French Athletics Federation and World Athletics road-running regulations.

Participants must provide either an accepted athletics licence or a valid PPS health-prevention certificate where required. The organizer also requires qualifying performance evidence for runners requesting a preferential sub-three-hour marathon bib.

The bib must be collected before race morning, and the organizer explicitly states that bibs will not be distributed on race day.

For safety reasons, bicycles and animals are not permitted on the race course. Participants must follow instructions from marshals, medical personnel and race officials.

The organizer also limits headphone use for safety. Runners may use only one headphone while participating.

The 2026 refreshment system has been modified to reduce environmental impact. No disposable cups are distributed along the route, so runners must bring their own reusable hydration system, soft flask, hydration pack or reusable folding cup.

How to get there

The main race begins on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and finishes in Cannes.

International visitors can reach Nice through Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which is located close to the starting area.

The Marathon Expo and bib collection are held at the Centre des Congrès Océanice at the Port of Nice on Quai Amiral Infernet. Participants must visit the expo to collect their race materials.

The finish area is located in central Cannes on the Boulevard de la Croisette, close to the Palais des Festivals.

The event’s point-to-point design makes rail travel particularly useful because the organizer provides free train travel between Nice and Cannes for registered runners using their race bib as a transport pass.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is strongly recommended because the race route extends along the Riviera between Nice and Cannes.

The race bib provides runners with unlimited free travel on the ZOU train service between Nice and Cannes in both directions during the event day. This applies to participants across the different race formats.

A dedicated bus service is also available for individual marathon runners who purchase the bus option. The service transports runners from Cannes toward Nice before the race and provides a return service after the finish.

The dedicated marathon bus option costs approximately $17.55 USD based on the organizer’s published €15 fee.

The organizer also provides a passenger option allowing accompanying people to purchase a transport pass for travel between Nice and Cannes.

Because the marathon creates extensive road restrictions, runners are encouraged to use trains and official shuttles rather than attempting to drive between Nice and Cannes around race time.

Accommodation areas

Nice is a practical base for participants who want to stay close to the starting area and Marathon Expo.

Accommodation around the Promenade des Anglais, central Nice and the Port of Nice provides convenient access to the start and expo facilities.

Cannes is another useful option, particularly for participants who want to stay close to the finish and enjoy the city’s restaurants, beaches and waterfront.

Other towns along the route, including Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Villeneuve-Loubet, provide alternatives for visitors who prefer to stay between Nice and Cannes.

The official event accommodation partner is Revolugo, which provides negotiated hotel rates and booking assistance. The organizer recommends booking accommodation early because the event attracts a large number of runners and international visitors.

Food & drink at the venue

The event provides liquid and solid refreshments throughout the marathon and at the finish.

The official 2026 refreshment plan includes food-and-drink stations around kilometres 10, 15, 19.5, 25, 30.5, 35.5 and 38.5. Water stations are positioned at several additional points along the course.

The final marathon refreshment area includes still and sparkling water, Coca-Cola, savoury snacks, cheese, pâté en croûte, bread, cake, chocolate, fruit, madeleines and confectionery.

The organizer has introduced a cup-free system to reduce waste. Participants are therefore expected to carry their own reusable drinking equipment.

The finisher area also includes a substantial final refreshment service, while the VIP hospitality package provides a dedicated lunch buffet and drinks.

Accessibility

The event provides dedicated arrangements for disabled athletes. The official regulations specify a separate disabled-athlete start before the elite and general marathon starts.

Medical assistance is provided throughout the course, with emergency medical personnel and approved first-aid services supporting the event.

The organizer also provides baggage-transfer facilities. Marathon runners can leave their official race bag at the designated baggage trucks in Nice, after which the organization transports it to the finish area in Cannes.

The official participant backpack is used for this service. The organizer states that only the designated 17-litre backpack will be accepted for the baggage system.

Because the race is a long point-to-point road event, participants requiring specific accessibility arrangements should contact the organizer before travelling.

Best matches/events to attend

The individual marathon is the central event and offers the complete Nice-to-Cannes experience.

The 20 km Nice-Villeneuve-Loubet race is useful for runners who want to experience the opening section of the Riviera course without completing the full marathon distance. Its finish provides a view toward Marina Baie des Anges.

The 2×21.1 km format is suited to pairs who want to share the full marathon distance. The first runner completes the Nice-to-Antibes section, while the second covers Antibes-to-Cannes.

The Marathon Relay is designed for teams of three to six runners. The five official exchange points allow teams to divide the course according to their chosen configuration.

For spectators, the Promenade des Anglais provides a major starting-area atmosphere, while the coastal communities along the course give supporters multiple opportunities to watch runners.

The Cannes finish area is another major gathering point, particularly around the Croisette and Palais des Festivals.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition attracted approximately 22,000 runners across the event’s distances, with nearly 30% of participants coming from outside France. The organizer also reported that almost half of the field was running its first marathon.

The event reached capacity well before the race, reflecting strong demand for the Nice-Cannes course.

The marathon continued its established international character, combining a high-volume mass-participation field with elite and preferential starting groups.

The coastal route remained the central attraction, taking runners from Nice through the towns and waterfront areas of the Alpes-Maritimes before reaching Cannes.

The event’s music programme also remained an important part of the race atmosphere, with musical entertainment positioned approximately every 2 km.

The organizer has also continued its environmental and charitable initiatives. For the 2026 event, one dollar-equivalent contribution from each registration is allocated to the Banque Alimentaire under the event’s charitable partnership.

Official tickets

The official Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes website is the authorized source for race registration and participant information.

The 2026 event is currently marked SOLD OUT on the official website. The individual marathon, 20 km and 2×21.1 km pages also show sold-out status, while the relay is listed with limited registrations.

For the individual marathon, the highest published non-FFA registration tier was $112.32 USD, while the highest FFA tier was $106.47 USD.

Other published registration prices included $57.33 USD for the later 20 km tier, $128.70 USD for the later 2×21.1 km team tier, and between $168.48 USD and $336.96 USD depending on the relay team size.

The official VIP public package was $228.15 USD including a race bib, or $117.00 USD without a race bib.

Participants should use the official Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes website for any remaining availability, official participant information, transport instructions and race updates.