Barcelona prepares for closures and diversions due to the 2026 Half Marathon

On Sunday 15 February, the Mitja Marató will transform mobility in Barcelona. Dozens of bus routes will have their routes altered. The metro will be the best way to get around that day. Find out how it affects you and plan your journeys.

Next Sunday, Barcelona will experience a morning of changes to mobility that will affect thousands of people. The 36th Mitja Marató will require the routes of 39 bus lines to be altered and will disrupt traffic across much of the city between 8:30 and 15:30. If you plan to travel, the metro will be your best ally in avoiding unforeseen problems and delays.

Photo by ajuntament.barcelona.cat

The starting gun for the race will be fired at 8:30 on Passeig Picasso, and from then on surface traffic will be affected on the main arteries along which the event will run. The route will pass through landmark points such as Gran Via, Paral·lel, Diagonal and the seafront, affecting residents, visitors and people who work on Sundays alike.

Bus routes D20, D50, H12, H14, H16, V9, V11, V13, V15, V17, V19, V21, V23, V25, V27, V29, V31, X3, 6, 7, 13, 19, 21, 22, 24, 39, 47, 54, 55, 59, 63, 67, 120, 121, 136, 141, 192 and the Vermella and Blava routes of the Bus Turístic will see their service altered or limited during the race. In addition, the T4, T5 and T6 Trambesòs lines will also experience occasional disruptions.

To facilitate mobility, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) recommends reaching the centre and the starting area by metro, especially through Arc de Triomf (L1) and Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica (L4) stations. The organisers have arranged to give runners 36,000 free single tickets, which they may collect with their participant bag, thereby reinforcing the use of public transport during the event.

Those needing up-to-date information on diversions, incidents or alternatives can consult the TMB website, the race’s official page or the TMB App, which will offer real-time data for planning journeys.

The Mitja Marató de Barcelona has established itself as one of the city’s largest mass athletics events. Each edition brings together thousands of local and international runners, who follow a route designed to showcase Barcelona’s urban diversity and open character. The event not only promotes grassroots sport, but also poses a logistical challenge for mobility and public transport, which adapt their services every year to minimise the impact on the city’s everyday life.