A New Belmont Park — And the Biggest Races in New York

Belmont Park is not simply returning — it is being rebuilt into the most advanced racing facility in North America, while continuing to host the most important races in New York and some of the most iconic events in world racing.

This is where legacy meets the future.

A $455 Million Transformation

Belmont Park is undergoing a $455,000,000 full-scale redevelopment, the largest racetrack modernization project in U.S. racing history.

The result will be a brand-new, winterized, year-round racing campus designed to elevate both the fan and ownership experience, while creating the most advanced backstretch and hospitality infrastructure ever built in American racing.

Opening: 2026

What’s Being Built

• Five-story, 300,000+ sq. ft. modern grandstand and clubhouse
• New owner lounges, dining suites, and premium hospitality areas
• All-weather Tapeta synthetic track for year-round racing
• Rebuilt turf courses and legendary 1½-mile dirt “Big Sandy” oval
• Expanded tunnels opening access to the 45-acre infield
• Upgraded barns, dormitories, and horsemen facilities
• On-site medical, veterinary, and safety infrastructure
• Designed to host international championship racing

Belmont is being rebuilt to support bigger purses, more racing opportunities, safer surfaces, and a dramatically enhanced owner experience.

What This Means for Owners & Horsemen

For people who live the sport, the redevelopment isn’t just about new seats or shiny finishes — it’s about quality of experience, expanded opportunities, and long-term sustainability:

  • Premium hospitality for owners and guests, with more lounges, dining, views, and spaces tailored for connection and celebration.Sports Business Journal

  • Enhanced backstretch and barn facilities designed to support staff, trainers, and horsemen with better living and working environments. Paulick Report

  • New racing surfaces and infrastructure that support expanded racing opportunities, training flexibility, and safer footing for the horses. Nyra

  • A facility positioned to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2027, bringing international attention back to New York’s premier racetrack.

Signature Races & Historic Events at Belmont

Belmont Park isn’t just another racetrack — it’s home to some of the most iconic races in American horse racing, where champions are made and legends live forever. While the historic venue is currently under redevelopment, these signature events define the prestige and competitive spirit of the Belmont experience.

The Belmont Stakes — “The Test of the Champion”

The crown jewel of Belmont Park is the Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing — coming after the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Run over 1 ½ miles, the Belmont Stakes is famed for its distance, tradition, and role as the ultimate test for three-year-old thoroughbreds.

  • Oldest of the Triple Crown races — first run in 1867.

  • Known as the “Test of the Champion” for its demanding length and prestige. America's Best Racing

  • Featured annually in June, it captivates racing fans and the global equestrian community. Nyra

In 2024–2026, the Belmont Stakes has been staged at Saratoga Race Course during Belmont Park’s redevelopment — but it remains unquestionably Belmont’s crown event and centerpiece of New York racing’s summer season.

Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

Beyond the signature stakes race, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (a multi-day celebration of top-class racing and entertainment) brings together elite horses, fans, and intense competition — mirroring the social energy and excitement of a Saratoga summer meet.