Published on September 1st, 2026
Location: USA
SPORTFIVE and Bank of America Chicago Marathon Extend Global Media Partnership Through 2028
New York, September 1 2026 - SPORTFIVE and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon today announced the extension of their longstanding partnership through 2028, building on a relationship established in 2015 that has helped bring one of the world’s premier races to broadcast audiences worldwide.
Under the renewed agreement, SPORTFIVE will continue to serve as the marathon’s international media rights partner and world feed producer, overseeing the creation, production, and distribution of the event's international live coverage for audiences around the world.
Established in 1977, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has grown into one of the world’s most iconic events and a cornerstone of the global distance running calendar. As one of the eight Abbott World Marathon Majors, the race annually attracts a world-class field of elite athletes, with more than 55,000 participants from all 50 states and over 130 countries, and hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the streets of Chicago. The event has served as the stage for numerous world-record performances and memorable championship moments, helping shape the history of long-distance running and cementing its status as one of the premier marathons in international sport.
Through SPORTFIVE’s media expertise and worldwide distribution network, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has continued to expand its international footprint, bringing the excitement, drama, and tradition of race day in Chicago to millions of fans around the globe.
We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with one of the most prestigious marathons in the world. Through world-class broadcast production and international media distribution, we remain committed to delivering the energy, drama, and inspiration of race day in Chicago to audiences around the globe."
Adam Schneider, Head of U.S. Media, SPORTFIVE
“We're excited to continue our longstanding partnership with SPORTFIVE as our international media rights partner and world feed producer. Their world-class production and global distribution expertise have allowed us year after year to bring the excitement of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to fans and viewers from around the world.” said Carey Pinkowski, Executive Race Director, Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Working from the domestic race broadcast produced in Chicago and carried locally by WMAQ, Chicago’s NBC affiliate, SPORTFIVE creates and distributes a dedicated world feed focused on the elite race competition, delivering a version of the event tailored specifically for international audiences. The world feed serves as the foundation for the marathon’s global broadcast distribution strategy, enabling the event to reach viewers across some of the world's most important sports media markets.
Through SPORTFIVE’s international media distribution network, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon reaches audiences around the world. Current global broadcasters include ESPN throughout Central America, South America, and the Caribbean; Eurosport across Europe and the Indian Subcontinent; SMG in China; SuperSport in Sub-Saharan Africa; and FloSports in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
For more than a decade, SPORTFIVE has supported the event’s international broadcast strategy, helping elevate the visibility of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon among global audiences while creating meaningful value for broadcasters, sponsors, participants, and fans. Through this continued partnership, SPORTFIVE and the Chicago Marathon will build on more than ten years of collaboration, ensuring one of the world’s most iconic races continues to reach viewers across the globe.
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Handball, Motorsport, Esports, Cricket, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events, Wintersports and many more.
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About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 48th year on Sunday, October 11, 2026, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will welcome thousands of participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class professional athlete field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and charity participants. The race’s iconic course takes participants through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago. Annually, more than a million spectators line the streets cheering on tens of thousands of participants from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating over $756 million in annual economic impact to its host city. The 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 11. In advance of the race, a three-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Thursday, October 8, Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.
Press contacts
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Jack Milko
Communications & PR Manager, USA
jack.milko@sportfive.com
