Belmont Park

Belmont Park, located in Elmont, New York, is one of the most storied horse racing sites in the United States. Opened in 1905, it has long been associated with the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Set near the Queens border and now part of a broader entertainment district that includes nearby UBS Arena, Belmont Park remains a major Long Island destination for racing history, sports visitors, and large-scale events.

Belmont Park reopened for live racing on September 18, 2026, following a three-year, $555 million reconstruction project. The redesigned property features a new five-story grandstand, four racing surfaces, an expanded paddock, substantially more green space, and upgraded areas for racing fans and backstretch workers. The first two floors of the grandstand opened with the return of racing, while completion of the upper floors is expected during the first quarter of 2027.

History

• Opened: 1905, developed by the Westchester Racing Association.
• Name: Belmont Park was named for financier and racing leader August Belmont Jr., one of the track’s original backers.
• Belmont Stakes: The Belmont Stakes, first run in 1867, became closely identified with Belmont Park after the track opened. The race was temporarily moved to Saratoga Race Course during Belmont’s reconstruction and is scheduled to return to Belmont Park in June 2027.
• Historic Moments: Triple Crown champions including Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, American Pharoah, and Justify are part of Belmont Park lore. Secretariat’s 31-length victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes remains one of the most celebrated performances in American horse racing history.
• Modern Era: Belmont Park closed to racing after its 2023 season as the property underwent a $555 million reconstruction. Racing returned on September 18, 2026, beginning a new era for the historic track.

Facilities

• Main Track: Belmont Park’s 1.5-mile dirt main track was reconstructed as part of the redevelopment. The historic main track has long been known as Big Sandy and remains one of the largest and most recognizable racing ovals in North America.
• Turf Courses: Two reconstructed turf courses provide additional racing surfaces for Belmont’s thoroughbred schedule and major stakes races.
• Tapeta Track: A new one-mile synthetic Tapeta track expands Belmont Park’s ability to accommodate winter racing, races moved off the turf, and year-round training.
• Grandstand: The former grandstand was replaced by a new five-story facility designed to provide modern seating, hospitality, dining, and viewing areas while allowing substantially more open space throughout the property. The first two floors opened in September 2026, with the remaining floors expected to be completed in early 2027.
• Paddock & Green Space: The redevelopment enlarged the paddock and created approximately five times as much green space as the previous facility, including greater public access to areas around the racing complex and infield.
• UBS Arena: Adjacent to the racetrack, UBS Arena is a major entertainment venue and home of the NHL’s New York Islanders, helping make the Belmont campus a year-round sports and entertainment destination.

Events

• Belmont Stakes Racing Festival: The Belmont Stakes is the signature event associated with Belmont Park and the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. After being temporarily held at Saratoga Race Course during reconstruction, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is scheduled to return to Belmont Park in June 2027.
• Racing Season: Live racing returned to Belmont Park on September 18, 2026. The 2026 fall meet runs through December 6 and includes 46 live racing days, with regular racing generally scheduled Thursday through Sunday.
• Breeders’ Cup: Belmont Park is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on October 29-30, 2027, marking the event’s first return to Belmont since 2005.
• Special Events: The reconstructed Belmont Park was designed to accommodate concerts and other large-scale entertainment in addition to horse racing, complementing the events held at neighboring UBS Arena.

Visitor Information

• Location: Belmont Park sits in Elmont along the Nassau–Queens line, making it accessible from both Long Island and New York City.
• Getting There: Visitors can reach Belmont Park by car via the Cross Island Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike. The Long Island Rail Road‘s Elmont-UBS Arena station provides rail access to the Belmont Park and UBS Arena complex.
• Parking & Access: On-site parking is available, although parking areas, pedestrian routes, and entry procedures can vary depending on racing schedules and other major events taking place within the Belmont complex.
• Food & Beverages: Belmont Park offers food and beverage options inside the venue. Outside alcohol and coolers are prohibited under current guest policies. Visitors may bring food and one nonalcoholic beverage in a non-glass container, subject to current bag and security requirements.
• Best Time to Visit: Major racing weekends provide the traditional Belmont Park experience, with the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival expected to become the centerpiece of the calendar again beginning in 2027. Regular race days offer a less crowded opportunity to experience the reconstructed facility.

Community Impact

• Belmont Park plays a central role in Elmont’s identity and remains one of the best-known sporting landmarks in the region.
• The $555 million reconstruction included a $455 million New York State loan to the New York Racing Association. State officials have projected that the redeveloped facility will generate more than $155 million in annual economic impact and support thousands of permanent jobs.
• Approximately 3,700 union workers participated in construction of the new Belmont Park, according to the Governor’s office.
• With UBS Arena next door and the reconstructed racetrack designed for racing, concerts, and other events, the Belmont campus has developed into a broader year-round sports and entertainment destination.

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Belmont Park Race Track

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Area Snapshot

Feature	Details
Location	Elmont, Nassau County, on the Queens border
Opened	1905; reconstructed facility reopened September 18, 2026
Famous For	Home of the Belmont Stakes and major Thoroughbred racing
Reconstruction	$555 million redevelopment, including a new five-story grandstand and redesigned racing complex
Racing Surfaces	1.5-mile dirt main track, two turf courses, and a one-mile Tapeta synthetic track
Major Upcoming Events	Return of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in June 2027 and Breeders’ Cup World Championships in October 2027
Transportation	Road access via the Cross Island Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike; rail service via the LIRR Elmont-UBS Arena station
Nearby	Elmont, Floral Park, Queens, and UBS Arena

Belmont Park is more than a racetrack – it is a historic sporting landmark and a major part of the region’s identity. With racing restored following its $555 million reconstruction, expanded public spaces, year-round racing capabilities, and the Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup scheduled for 2027, the new Belmont Park begins another chapter in its long history as one of Long Island‘s most recognizable sports destinations.