NYC Marathon Spectator Bingo

How to play marathon spectator bingo

1. Type in your runner's name and tap New card until you like the squares.
2. Play on your phone, or print one card per person. Use Get 4 different cards so nobody at your spot has the same board.
3. When you see something on the card, tap it or cross it off. The center square is free, and it is the one that matters most.
4. Five in a row across, down or corner to corner is a bingo. Mark all 25 for a full card.
5. Winner picks the brunch spot. Ties go to whoever spotted your runner first.

Every square on the card

Each card deals 8 signs, 8 costumes and 8 race moments from the lists below, with Spotted my runner! as the free center square. Tap New card for a fresh mix.

Signs (21)

• A sign about toenails
• Smile if you peed a little (sign)
• A dog with a sign
• Worst parade ever (sign)
• A "tap here for power" sign
• A giant face on a stick
• An "almost there" sign way too early
• A sign about chafing
• A kid with a sign bigger than them
• A sign with a typo
• A sign cheering for a random stranger
• A sign with a 26.2 math joke
• A pizza pun sign
• A movie quote sign
• A "you paid for this?" sign
• A sign covered in glitter
• A grandma with a sign
• A sign about snacks
• A sign with a song lyric
• A sign about naps
• A sign with a cartoon of a runner

Costumes (21)

• Someone dressed as the Statue of Liberty
• A runner in a tutu
• A banana costume
• A runner in a cape
• A runner in a suit and tie
• A runner dressed as pizza
• A runner in a bridal veil
• A hot dog costume
• A blow-up dinosaur
• A runner in a kilt
• A runner with fairy wings
• A runner in a Santa suit
• A runner with a unicorn horn
• A runner in a giant hat
• A runner in a wild wig
• A crayon costume
• Two runners in matching costumes
• A runner wrapped in a flag
• A taco costume
• A runner in a sparkly skirt
• A full superhero suit

Race moments (26)

• A runner high fiving every kid
• Someone stops for a selfie
• A runner proposing
• A cowbell solo
• Orange slices from a stranger
• A pace group balloon
• You cheer a stranger by the name on their shirt
• A runner dancing to sidewalk music
• A giant foam finger
• A family in matching shirts
• A runner doing the robot
• A runner filming on their phone
• Two runners holding hands
• A runner stops to hug their family
• A stranger handing out candy
• A dog in a costume
• A baby in ear muffs
• Happy tears (theirs or yours)
• A live band on the street
• Confetti in the air
• A runner sprinting for a camera
• A medal on the subway
• You miss your runner by a second
• A runner blowing kisses
• Someone yells "you're almost there!"
• A row of kids with hands out

Watching from home

Following along on TV or the tracking app? Play along with these instead.

• A shot of the start on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
• Helicopter view of the whole field
• Someone on the couch says "I could do that"
• A commentator mentions "the wall"
• A split time graphic on screen
• A runner waving at the camera
• A costume the commentators talk about
• Your runner's tracking alert goes off
• Someone refreshes the tracking app twice in a minute
• A wheelchair racer flying down a hill
• A shot of the crowd on First Ave
• The lead pack crossing a bridge
• A sign you can read on TV
• Somebody cries at the finish line footage
• A medal close-up
• You yell at the TV like they can hear you

Tips for cheering at the NYC Marathon

Bring layers. Early November mornings can be chilly and you will stand around a lot more than your runner will. A hat, gloves and a warm layer you can peel off as the day warms up go a long way.

Use the subway. Streets along the course close on race day, so driving and cabs are slow. Plan your train route the night before and give yourself extra time to get from the station to the curb.

Pick 2 spots, not 5. Seeing your runner twice is a great day. Try one spot early, like Brooklyn, and one late, like First Avenue or near Central Park, and plan the trip between them. Our marathon spectator planner helps you line up the timing with your runner's pace.

Make a sign. Big letters and your runner's name help them find you in a loud crowd. Need ideas? Try our marathon sign maker.

Tell your runner where you will be. Agree on the spot and which side of the street, and wear something bright so they can find you fast.

Want the full game plan? Read our NYC Marathon spectator guide for 2026, then steal a line or two from our funny NYC Marathon signs.

Spectator bingo questions

Is the marathon spectator bingo card free?

Yes. Make as many cards as you like, play on your phone, print them or save them as a picture. No sign up needed.

How do I make different cards for a group?

Tap Get 4 different cards. You get four shuffled boards, one per page, so everyone at your spot has a different card. Print it twice for a crew of eight.

When is the 2026 NYC Marathon?

The TCS New York City Marathon is on Sunday, Nov 1, 2026. Check the official race site for start times and course details before you head out.

Will my marks stay if I close the page?

Your card and marks are saved in this browser on this device, so you can lock your phone between spots. If you clear your browser data, the card resets. Paper never runs out of battery.

Can I use this card at another marathon?

Mostly, yes. Funny signs, wild costumes and cowbells show up at every big race. Just skip the Statue of Liberty square if you are not in New York.

What counts as a bingo?

Five marked squares in a row, across, down or diagonal. The center square, Spotted my runner!, is free. Mark all 25 squares for a full card and bragging rights until next year.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by NYRR or the TCS New York City Marathon.