Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up Returns for 48th Annual Race on Oct. 6
Presented by NYU Langone Health and Powered by Merrell
Lottery Open Through July 20
The Empire State Building Observation Deck (ESB), atop the "World’s Most Famous Building," today announced that general lottery registration is open for this year's Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up (ESBRU), which will run through July 20, 2026. The annual race, presented by NYU Langone Health and powered by Merrell, will take place on Oct. 6, 2026, at 8 p.m.
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Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up Returns for 48th Annual Race on Oct. 6
This year’s race marks the 48th anniversary of the event, in which 225 runners will race up 1,576 stairs of the iconic New York City landmark to reach the world-famous 86th Floor Observation Deck.
"Every year, the Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up is a remarkable feat for all who participate as they race up to Tripadvisor's #1 top attraction in the U.S.," said Tony Malkin, chairman and CEO of the Empire State Realty Trust. "We are excited to welcome this year’s runners from around the globe to compete in the world’s preeminent tower race."
The lottery drawing will take place on July 21, and entrants will be notified of their race status thereafter. Selected runners will be required to pay a $175 participation fee upon acceptance. Past races have included participants from the media, celebrities, ESRT tenants, athletes, New York City real estate brokers, members of the NYPD and FDNY, and the general public.
NYU Langone Health, presenting sponsor of the Empire State Building Observation Deck Run-Up for the second consecutive year, is a fully integrated health system—with seven inpatient locations and more than 320 outpatient locations—that consistently achieves the best patient outcomes through a rigorous focus on quality that has resulted in some of the lowest mortality rates in the nation.
Supporting sponsor for this year's Empire State Building Observatory Deck Run-Up, Merrell is a global leader in the modern outdoors, with a footwear and apparel portfolio that spans hike, trail run, and lifestyle. Earlier this year, Merrell launched It Starts Outside – its first-ever global brand platform – that invites people to experience the clarity, connection, and momentum that starts the moment they step outside. Through its Outside in NYC programming, Merrell will bring that vision to life through community experiences throughout 2026, including the Empire State Building Observatory Deck Run-Up.
The 2026 ESBRU is produced by Super Race Systems.
More information about the Empire State Building Observatory Deck Run-Up and the official lottery entry can be found online.
Hi-res imagery and video from previous years can be downloaded here.
About the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building, the "World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT: NYSE), soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observation Deck Experience created an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observation Deck with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observation Deck, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observation Deck Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and is ranked the #1 Top Attraction in the United States in Tripadvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel List. Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, Ghirardelli, and Starbucks. For more information and Empire State Building Observation Deck Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok.
About Merrell:
Merrell exists to share the simple power of being outside and is committed to building an inclusive and sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy. As the global leader in outdoor active footwear with the Moab hiking boot and Jungle Moc, Merrell is focused on merging performance, styling, and comfort to empower all people to explore the outdoors confidently. The brand was recently named Footwear News' 2022 Brand of the Year for promoting a more diverse vision of the outdoors. Visit Merrell.com or follow us on social @Merrell. Merrell is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), one of the world's leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's, and uniform footwear and apparel.
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Media Contact:
Jamie Heitner
212-400-3339
jheitner@esrtreit.com