ELMONT, NY – Belmont Park has reopened for thoroughbred racing in Elmont following a three-year, $555 million reconstruction that replaced the historic racetrack’s former grandstand and substantially redesigned the property as a year-round racing, sports and entertainment destination.
Racing returned Friday, September 18, 2026, marking the first live race meet at Belmont Park since 2023. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined New York Racing Association officials, labor representatives and other state and local leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the first race.
The redevelopment is centered around a new five-story grandstand and includes four newly constructed racing surfaces, an expanded paddock, new hospitality and dining areas and substantially more publicly accessible green space. According to the Governor’s office, the project provides approximately five times as much green space as the former facility.
The state supported the reconstruction with a $455 million loan to NYRA. Hochul said during the reopening that the loan will be repaid and that the new facility is projected to generate more than $155 million in annual economic impact while supporting thousands of permanent jobs on Long Island.
Construction itself employed approximately 3,700 union workers, according to the Governor.
“This was so important for our elected officials here as well. A place that’s welcoming to everyone,” Hochul said during the ceremony. “A venue that’ll generate over $155 million in annual economic impact and sustain thousands of permanent jobs right here on Long Island.”
A Very Different Belmont Park
The new Belmont is considerably different from the facility racing fans knew before construction began.
Its five-story grandstand was designed as a smaller, more modern replacement for the massive structure that previously dominated the property. The redevelopment also expands areas where spectators can experience racing outside the grandstand, including an enlarged paddock and newly accessible infield and green spaces.
Four racing surfaces have been constructed at the property: the traditional 1½-mile dirt main track, two turf courses and a one-mile synthetic Tapeta track. The synthetic course will allow Belmont to accommodate winter racing and year-round training, a major change in NYRA’s downstate racing operations.
The project also includes upgraded facilities for backstretch workers, including new dormitories, a kitchen, recreation and fitness facilities, as well as access to childcare and other support services.
Not all portions of the new grandstand are open yet. NYRA said the first two floors opened with racing on September 18, while completion of floors three through five is expected during the first quarter of 2027.
Because of the remaining work, attendance was capped at 6,000 during the September 18-20 opening weekend. Beginning September 24, capacity will temporarily be limited to 4,000.
First Race and $1 Million Jockey Club Gold Cup
A capacity crowd of 6,000 attended opening day.
The first race at the reconstructed Belmont Park left the starting gate at 1:30 p.m. Friday. Lisa Joy, a British-bred filly owned by Andrew Rosen and trained by Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, won the 1¼-mile maiden race under jockey Antonio Fresu.
The day’s featured race was the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, carrying a $1 million purse. International racing star Forever Young won the race under jockey Ryusei Sakai for trainer Yoshito Yahagi and owner Susumu Fujita.
Opening day’s nine-race card generated approximately $14 million in total wagering, according to NYRA.
The reopening celebration also included a performance by country music artist Dierks Bentley.
Racing Continues Through December
The reopening begins a much larger fall racing schedule at Belmont.
NYRA’s 2026 fall meet runs through December 6 and includes 46 live racing days. The stakes schedule features 72 stakes races worth a combined $17.7 million, including 32 graded stakes.
Regular live racing is generally scheduled Thursday through Sunday.
General admission begins at $7 in advance for regular fall meet dates, while other reserved seating, dining and hospitality packages are available separately.
Visitors will also encounter different rules than longtime Belmont patrons may remember. Outside alcohol and coolers are prohibited under the new guest policies. Guests may bring their own food, along with one nonalcoholic beverage in a non-glass container, subject to Belmont Park’s bag and security requirements.
Belmont Stakes Returns to Long Island in 2027
Perhaps the most consequential result of the reconstruction will become apparent next year.
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will return to Long Island in June 2027 after three years at Saratoga Race Course while Belmont Park was under construction.
The 159th Belmont Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2027, with a $2 million purse. The three-day festival will run June 3 through June 5.
Belmont Park will then host another of international horse racing’s largest events later that year.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are scheduled for October 29-30, 2027, bringing the event back to Belmont Park for the first time since 2005. Belmont previously hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 1990, 1995, 2001 and 2005.
The return of both events was a central objective of the redevelopment, positioning Belmont Park once again as one of the country’s major thoroughbred racing venues.
Belmont’s Role in New York Racing
The reconstruction also represents a broader consolidation of NYRA’s downstate racing operations at Belmont Park.
The addition of the synthetic track makes winter racing possible at Belmont and allows the property to accommodate racing and training throughout the year. NYRA has described the reconstructed facility as the centerpiece of its future downstate operations.
Beyond racing, the property was designed to accommodate concerts and other large-scale entertainment events, expanding its potential use beyond the traditional racing calendar.
Belmont Park sits along the Nassau County–Queens border in Elmont, adjacent to UBS Arena. The Long Island Rail Road’s Elmont-UBS Arena station provides rail access to the complex.
Key Facts & Details
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility | Belmont Park |
| Location | Elmont, Nassau County, New York |
| Reopened | September 18, 2026 |
| Last Racing Before Reconstruction | 2023 |
| Reconstruction Cost | $555 million |
| New York State Financing | $455 million loan to NYRA |
| Construction Employment | Approximately 3,700 union workers |
| Projected Annual Economic Impact | More than $155 million |
| Grandstand | New five-story facility |
| Racing Surfaces | Four: dirt main track, two turf courses and one-mile Tapeta synthetic track |
| Green Space | Approximately five times more than the previous facility, according to the Governor’s office |
| Opening Weekend Capacity | 6,000 |
| Temporary Capacity Beginning Sept. 24 | 4,000 |
| Upper Floors Expected Complete | First quarter of 2027 |
| 2026 Fall Meet | September 18 through December 6 |
| Fall Meet Race Days | 46 |
| 2026 Fall Stakes | 72 stakes worth $17.7 million |
| Opening-Day Feature | $1 million Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup |
| Opening-Day Winner | Forever Young |
| Opening-Day Wagering | $13,997,422.99 |
| Belmont Stakes Returns | June 5, 2027 |
| 2027 Belmont Stakes Purse | $2 million |
| Breeders’ Cup | October 29-30, 2027 |
| Previous Breeders’ Cup at Belmont | 1990, 1995, 2001 and 2005 |
| Outside Alcohol/Coolers | Prohibited |
| Public Transportation | Long Island Rail Road via Elmont-UBS Arena station |
The September reopening marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of Long Island’s best-known sporting landmarks. With racing restored, year-round operations planned and both the Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup scheduled for 2027, the reconstructed Belmont Park is expected to play a significantly expanded role in Long Island’s sports, entertainment and tourism economy.
Are you ready for fall on Long Island? Check out these local seasonal guides:
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