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2023 Boston Marathon Getty Images
Andrew Steel

How to watch and live stream the Boston Marathon 2024

Here's a one-stop guide on how to watch the road race from Massachusetts this year

Few road race events capture the public imagination like the Boston Marathon. One of the oldest and most prestigious events for runners worldwide, it continues to forge a formidable reputation as one of the biggest events for long-distance fans worldwide.

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Since it began in 1897, when it was inspired by the city’s marathon event during the Boston 1896 Olympics, it has taken place almost every year for over a century and more, with some of its winners among the greats in their field.

The 2024 edition is shaping up to be another special occasion, with back-to-back victories. Evans Chebet is looking to make it a hat-trick of triumphs after he succeeded in 2022 and 2023, while the women’s race also represents an open field.

As one of the six World Marathon Majors, it is sure to draw another blockbuster crowd, both in-person and watching around the globe. So, how can you catch the race unfold from Hopkinton to Copley Square?

GOAL brings you everything you need to know to watch and livestream the Boston Marathon 2024, including recommended streaming packages, frequently asked questions, and more.

Where can I watch the Boston Marathon 2024?

2023 Boston Marathon winnerGetty Images

The 2024 Boston Marathon will be aired nationally across the United States on ESPN2 and streamed alongside through the pay-television network’s online service ESPN+.

Offering coverage from all ESPN channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, ESPN+ allows customers access to a wide variety of sporting content from just $10.99 per month.

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Additionally, you can watch the 2024 Boston Marathon through one of multiple streaming packages, with several of the market leaders across the United States, including ESPN2 among the channels in their service.

Below, GOAL breaks down some of the options for watching the 2024 Boston Marathon, including prices and additional details. 

  • DirecTVDirecTV

    DirecTV

    Available as Channel 209 through the popular streaming provider, ESPN2 is included with a host of DirecTV packages. The service’s Choice, Ultimate, and Premier options all include the channel as part of their standard lineup.

    That means you won’t need any pesky add-ons and that you can jump straight into watching the 2024 Boston marathon, with setup available either through traditional satellite means or modern streaming modules via high-speed internet connection.

    The drawback might well be that DirecTV’s selections can be on the pricier end of the scale - Choice is priced at $84.99 plus fees, while Ultimate and Premier are both north of triple digits per month - but its depth of channels might make it a more palatable choice than some rivals.

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  • FuboTVFuboTV

    fuboTV

    Self-proclaimed as one of the best streaming providers for sports coverage, fuboTV has marginally lower prices than its main catch-all rival and boasts the inclusion of ESPN channels - including ESPN2 - across all English-language packages offered.

    With a slew of national free-to-air and regular sports pay-television channels part and parcel of their lineup, subscribers can enjoy not only the 2024 Boston Marathon but also a wide variety of other sports and events throughout the year.

    With a lower price for its top-tier plan, too, it feels like you’ll get more bang for your buck, though it may also require users to customize with further costly add-ons to get the full package that they want.

  • Sling TV laptopGOAL / various

    Sling TV

    For those who want to try to keep the cost of a broader streaming package down, Sling TV has forged a niche in the market with its affordable setup. It offers a pair of distinct options—Blue and Orange—for just $40.00 per month or $60.00 per month as a combo offering.

    ESPN2 comes as an exclusive option within the Sling TV Orange pack, allowing users to watch the 2024 Boston Marathon and enjoy the broad selection of sports action also offered across the ESPN network.

    However, that relative cut-price cost comes with a finite number of channels that pales in comparison to bigger markets, and if your only interest is in the coverage provided by ESPN, you may be best going straight to the source itself.

  • 2023 Boston Marathon crowd and runnersGetty Images

    FAQs

    Can I watch the 2024 Boston Marathon for free?

    If you are in the Greater Boston area, you can watch the 2024 Boston Marathon for free through WCVB5, the local affiliate for ABC.

    However, if you are based in the rest of the United States, you will have to tune into the pay-television channel ESPN2 or stream through ESPN+ to watch the race.

    Watch the Boston Marathon 2024 on ESPN+
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    Do I need a VPN to watch the 2024 Boston Marathon?

    You do not need a VPN to watch the 2024 Boston Marathon; however, you may be able to use one in order to access other road races that are outside of your local broadcast area in the United States.

    For more information, consider GOAL’s guide to what VPN best suits your needs.

    Who won the 2023 Boston Marathon?

    Evans Chebet was the 2023 Boston Marathon victor in the men’s race, securing his second title on the course after the Kenyan took victory in 2022 to continue his nation’s dominance in the event.

    Hellen Obiri was the 2023 Boston Marathon victor in the men’s race, with the Kenyan also ensuring a trio of successive triumphs for her country. It was a superb year for her, as she also took victory in the 2023 New York Marathon.

    What is the Boston Marathon route?

    The Boston Marathon route follows a series of winding roads from the Middlesex County town of Hopkinton, 25 miles west of Boston, and tracks along Route 135, Route 16, Route 30, and city streets to eventually finish at Copley Square, outside the Boston Public Library.

    The route covers eight cities and towns throughout Massachusetts but is most readily famous for the Newton hills it navigates, including Heartbreak Hill, located near Boston College, where multiple competitors typically come undone.