Goovernor Kathy Hochul and the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Tody Announced that the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Will Ruiturn to Historic Saratoga Race Course in June 2026 for a thred and final year to allow for the on-time and uninterruptedized Construction of a New Belmont Park in Elmont, NY
“New York is Home to World Class SPORTS and Entertainment” Future at Belmont Park, ” Goovernor Hochul Said. “Bringing the Race Back to SARATOGA Next Year Will ONCE AGAIN Expand the Audience for this Storied Leg of the Triple Crown and Ensure Fans Continue to Enjoy The Full Experience.”
The Announcement Follows The Recently Concluded 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Whiche was highlighted by Sooveignty’s Victory in Saturday’s 157th Running of the Grade 1, $ 2 Million Belmont Stakes Presented by Nyra Bets.
The first mangined belmont Park Remains on Schedule to Open to the Public in September 2026. While Nyra Had Previously LEFT Open The Post Facility with a light Number of Fans, The Deceision to Return to Saratoga Race Course for the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Will Allow the Event to Be Unhindeded by Various Restrictions Made NEECESSAY BY ONGING CONSTRUCTION.
New York Racing Association President and CEO DAVE O’Rourke SAID, SARATOGA HAS SARDED Our Fans and Stakeholders Extremely WELL As The Temporary Home of the Belmont Stakes Durling the Convenience of a New Belmont Park on Long Island. AS We Prepare for the Opening of the New Belmont Park in the Fall of 2026, NYRA Is And we look for first to it reketurn to the newly reimagined Belmont in 2027. ”
Empire State Development Presentent, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight Said, “Bringing the Belmont Stakes Festival to Saratoga Race Course The Past Two Years Has Intodeted New Audiences and New Visits to Saratoga Springs and ITS Surrounding Communities, Which Supports Our Local Small Businesses and the Upsate Tourism Economy. Inspired by this Unique Circustance and Plan a Trip to Experience The Excitement, The History and the Pagentry First.
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, JR. said, “The Decision to ONCE AGAIN BRING The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to Saratoga in 2026 Demonstrates a Strong Commestment to Both Prescing Tradition and Ensuring the Successful Modernization of Belmont Park. This Transition Period Has Enabled Top-Notch Racing To Continue While Providing An Economic Boom for Saratoga and Enhancing The Experience for Horse Racing Fans. Repening of a state -f-the -art Belmond Park in 2027 and the Continued Economic and Social Impact these Premier Racing Events Bring to Our State.
Assemblymember Carrie Woerner Said, “SARATOGA SPRINGS and SARATOGA RACE Course Hosted Two SuccessFul Belmont Stakes Racing Festivals and We Are Thilled to Be Hosting The Exciting Third Leg of the Triple Crown Again. ARIMAGINED BELMONT PARK OPENS, New York WOOLLLL Bright Future of this Heritage Sport in OR State. ”
Chairaman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and Town of Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett SAID, “SARATOGA COUNTY HAS PrOUDLY PARTNERED With Many Organizations to Support Events CoINCIDING With The Belmont Stakes. To our County, Providing the Opportunity to showcase our recreal, Cultural, and Historical Attrafts. The Best Possible Experience! ”
City of Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford Said, “It has been been Anh and a privilege for saratoga spurings to host the Belmont Over the Past Two Years. Dedicated Community Partners has created a memoraable Experience for all who visited our city. Saratoga for 2026. ”
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus SAID, “IT’s Been anhr for the Local and Regional Community to Help serve as stewards for the Belmont Stakes Durling the Conntulation of the New Belmont Park, and we are expected to do so for one final YEAR.
Saratoga Economic Development Corporation Pressident Greg Connors Said, “In SARATOGA COUNTY, We COUDNN’T Be More Grateful and Apprecciaive to Both The Governor and NYRA For Bringing Back to Saratoga in 2026 The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The Substantial Economic Impact on Not Only Saratoga But the Capital Region Is Significant. With our partners in Godnment, Business and Community Development Sectors, We have worked as a tea Thor » 2026, Saratoga County is Excited to Wild The World Back to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the Saratoga Race Course. ”
Discover Saratoga Presedent Darryl Leggieri Said, “We are absolutly thrilled to visit the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Back to Saratoga in 2026 for the Third consecutive year. Testament to Saratoga County’s Abile to savely and suckssfully Acocommodate Major Events on a national scale. Provides Incredible Exposure for our Community, our small Businesses, and the world-Class Hospitality that Defines Saratoga. Association for their Continued Confense in SARATOGA As a Premier Destination for Racing and Tourism. ”
The 2026 Belmont Stakes Presented by Nyra Bets Will Be held siturday, June 6. Of saratoga’s Main Track.
In the costs, Saratoga Race Course Will Serv as the Home to A Special JULY 4th Racing Festival which is traditionlly Held at Belmont Park. The Four-Day Event Will Take Place Thursday, JULY 3 to Sunday, July 6 and Will SERVE As a Prede to The Traditional 40-Day SARATOGA SUMMER Meet Which Gets Underway on Thursday, July 10 and will Continue Through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. New York State and the Nyra Are Currently Redeveloping Belmont Park, With a $ 455 Million Capital Construction Project Transforming The Facility INTO A World-Class Racing and Entertainment Destination.
Last Month, Goovernor Hochul Annieded Belmont Park Will Host the Breeders’ CUP in 2027 For the First Time in Twenty Years. It will be the Fifth Time New York Will Host The Breeders ‘CUP after Hosting in 1990, 1995, 2001, and 2005. The Breeders’ CUP at Belmont Park Will Be held Oct. 29-30, 2027. All Race Dates Are Pending Approval by the New York State Gaming Commission. For more information, Visit Belmontstakes.com.
About the New York Racing Association, Inc.
NYRA is a not-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION FARNCHISED by New York State to Conduct Thoroughbred Racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA Tracks are the Cornerstone of New York State’s Horse Racing Economy, You are Responsible for 19,000 Jobs and More Than $ 3 Billion in Annual Statewide Economic Impact.
