Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will return to historic Saratoga Race Course in June 2026 for a third and final year to allow for the on-time and uninterrupted construction of a new Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
“New York is home to world class sports and entertainment and this final chapter of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course honors our rich racing heritage while paving the way for a bold, new future at Belmont Park,” Governor 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 which was highlighted by Sovereignty’s victory in Saturday’s 157th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.
The reimagined Belmont Park remains on schedule to open to the public in September 2026. While NYRA had previously left open the possibility of hosting a Belmont Stakes in a partially completed facility with a limited number of fans, the decision to return to Saratoga Race Course for the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will allow the event to be unhindered by various restrictions made necessary by ongoing construction.
The 2026 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets will be held Saturday, June 6. The race will once again be contested at 1.25 miles in 2026, rather than the traditional 1.5 miles due to the configuration of Saratoga’s main track.
In the coming weeks, Saratoga Race Course will serve as the home to a special July 4th Racing Festival which is traditionally held at Belmont Park. The four-day event will take place Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6 and will serve as a prelude 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, Governor Hochul announced 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 franchised 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, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual statewide economic impact.
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