Belmont Park

Belmont Park, the home of the Belmont Stakes in Elmont (New York)

Belmont Park is a Thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Elmont, in the state of New York. The racetrack is the home of the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown, and is part of the track network managed by The New York Racing Association (NYRA). The venue reopened its doors in September 2026 following a comprehensive reconstruction process.

Reopening and new venue configuration

The last renovation of Belmont Park before the current one dated back to 1968. The new complex was designed by the architecture firm Populous in collaboration with NYRA and is organized around a five-story building of approximately 300,000 square feet. The reduction in the built footprint compared with the previous 1.25 million square feet and the opening of the infield for the first time significantly expand the green space available to the public and to the surrounding community.

Alongside the new grandstand, NYRA renovated the main dirt track and the two turf tracks, and added a new all-weather synthetic surface. The venue thus features modernized racing surfaces.

Racing calendar and major events

The 2026 fall meet is held with weekly racing between September 18 and December 6, 2026. The first day of competition at the new Belmont Park was September 18, 2026, with a day that included food and beverage offerings, entertainment, live music, and the first presentation of the new building. The horse Forever Young won the Jockey Club Gold Cup, worth one million dollars.

The venue will host the Belmont Stakes on June 5, 2027, and the Breeders' Cup in 2027, which returns to Belmont Park.

Tickets and access options

General admission starts at $7 plus taxes and fees when purchased in advance, and $10 on the day of the event; for the September 19 and 20, 2026 race days, the advance price was $10. General admission grants access to the apron, the backyard, the paddock viewing areas, and the ground floor of the building. Outside food and factory-sealed water in soft-sided containers are permitted, and there are hundreds of picnic tables available at no cost in the backyard.

Reserved grandstand seating is available on select days of the 2026 fall meet —September 26 and October 3, 24, and 31, 2026—, with $50 per-day tickets that include a $25 credit for food and drink at the nearby Homestretch Market. On all other days, the public with general admission may sit in the grandstand.

Premium hospitality and dining

The venue has several premium hospitality spaces:

• Box Seats: box seats on the second floor, above the finish line.
• Turf Club Lounge & Restaurant: upscale space on the second floor with menus by chef Marc Forgione.
• The Overlook: climate-controlled hospitality lounge on the second floor with two-way views of the finish line and the paddock.
• The Stretch View: hospitality experience on the second floor designed for large groups.
• Triple Crown level: premium restaurant on the third floor with a terrace overlooking the paddock and Loge boxes.
• Champion Suites: private indoor and outdoor spaces on the fourth floor, with VIP entrance, balcony with paddock views, and included services.

Preserved heritage

The century-old Japanese white pine that presides over the paddock, and which inspired the Belmont Park logo, was studied and protected during the demolition and construction phases, and remains the centerpiece of the property. The venue's art collection and racing murals have also been preserved. NYRA has set aside standout pieces such as the wrought-iron gates of the historic Jerome Park, the iron gate from the clubhouse entrance, and the paddock gate with the colors of the thirteen Triple Crown winners, removed and stored for future use.

Services for visitors and professionals

The venue offers information on access, venue maps, parking, food and beverage options, guest policies, and frequently asked questions. For industry professionals, Belmont Park publishes resources for owners and trainers, such as the reasons to race at the venue, record overnight purses, the Big Apple Bonus, and the Empire Trillium Series, as well as accommodations for horsemen. The Tapeta track has opened for training and there is an increase in overnight purses.

Racing information includes entries, results, scratches, picks, replays, photo finishes, meet statistics, workouts, live streaming, and the FOX live TV schedule. The stakes schedule, post times and wager menu, track trends, and stewards' decisions are also published.

Belmont Park has its own venue app, available on the App Store and Google Play, and offers the possibility of exploring the new venue in 3D. Those interested in events and live entertainment can sign up for The Inside Post to receive information.