If you’ve driven past Elmont lately, you’ve seen the cranes. They are hard to miss. The old, hulking grandstand that stood for decades is gone, replaced by a skeleton of steel and glass that looks more like a modern airport terminal than a dusty old track. People keep asking the same thing: when are the horses coming back?
The short answer is September. But the belmont park race track schedule for 2026 is anything but simple.
We are currently in the middle of a massive three-year transition. It’s been weird not having the "Test of the Champion" on Long Island, right? Since 2024, the Belmont Stakes has been on a road trip to Saratoga, and 2026 marks the final year of that residency. If you are looking for the Triple Crown finale at Belmont Park this year, you won't find it. You’ll have to head five hours north.
Honestly, the timeline is tight. NYRA is basically rebuilding a billion-dollar house while trying to keep the party going at their other properties. It’s a juggling act involving Aqueduct (which is finally, truly closing) and Saratoga (which is working overtime).
The 2026 Belmont Park Grand Opening
Construction is moving at a breakneck pace. As of January 2026, crews are wrapping the third floor in glass. Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated the "topping out" ceremony, and while the building looks nearly done from the outside, the interior is a different story.
Opening Day at the new Belmont Park is set for Friday, September 18, 2026.
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This isn't a full-blown "everything is ready" launch. It’s more of a soft opening. The first two floors of the grandstand—the areas where most of us actually hang out, bet, and grab a beer—will be open to the public. The upper three floors, including the fancy new "Champion Suites" and high-end hospitality areas, are being saved for a 2027 debut.
Why the delay on the top floors? Well, NYRA is prioritizing getting the horses and the fans back on the dirt first. They need the facility functional for the fall meet before they worry about the gold-plated faucets in the VIP lounges.
Where is the Belmont Stakes in 2026?
Here is the part that still trips people up. Even though Belmont Park opens in September, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will take place at Saratoga Race Course from June 3 through June 7, 2026.
The actual 158th running of the Belmont Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Because Saratoga’s main track is smaller than the massive 1.5-mile "Big Sandy" at Belmont, the race will once again be run at 1 1/4 miles. It changes the dynamic of the race entirely. You don't need a marathoner; you need a 10-furlong specialist. It’s a temporary sacrifice for the sake of the new facility.
Once this festival ends in June, the NYRA circuit doesn't just sit around. They stay at Saratoga for an expanded 46-day summer meet starting July 3, which includes a big July 4th festival. This is why the Belmont Park race track schedule doesn't kick in until the leaves start changing.
The Farewell to Aqueduct
For those who have a soft spot for the "Big A," 2026 is a bittersweet year. Since construction started at Belmont, Aqueduct Racetrack has been the workhorse of New York racing. It’s handled the winter, the spring, and the fall.
That ends on June 28, 2026.
That Sunday will be the final day of live racing ever at Aqueduct. After that, the track is being handed back to the state, and the land will likely be redeveloped for housing and park space. Once those gates close in June, there is a gap in downstate racing until Belmont reopens in September.
What the New Schedule Means for Fans
The 2026 calendar is essentially a bridge. David O’Rourke, the CEO of NYRA, has been pretty vocal about the fact that this year is about "consolidation." They are moving everything to Belmont. No more shuttling between tracks in Queens and Nassau County.
When Belmont reopens in September, the track won't just be for the summer. They’ve installed a new one-mile Tapeta track.
If you aren't a railbird, Tapeta is a synthetic surface. It’s a mix of sand, fiber, and wax. It doesn't turn into a muddy mess when it rains, and it doesn't freeze in the winter. This is the secret sauce for the future schedule. Belmont Park is going to become a year-round racing destination. No more "winter break" where everyone forgets about New York racing until the Wood Memorial.
Key Dates for Your 2026 Calendar
You’ve got to stay organized because the dates are all over the place this year.
- April 30 – June 28: The final "Belmont at the Big A" meet at Aqueduct.
- June 3 – June 7: The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (at Saratoga).
- July 3 – September 7: The main Saratoga summer meet.
- September 18: The historic reopening of Belmont Park.
The Financial Impact and Why It Matters
This isn't just about gambling. The redevelopment is a $1 billion project. It’s expected to generate about $155 million in annual economic output once it’s fully operational.
Local businesses in Elmont have been waiting for this for years. When the track was closed, the foot traffic vanished. The new schedule aims to fix that by making the park a 365-day attraction. They are adding five times more green space in the infield and building tunnels so the community can actually use the space even when horses aren't running. It’s a radical shift from the old "keep everyone behind the fence" mentality.
Betting on the Future
The move back to Long Island is also about the 2027 Breeders' Cup. NYRA secured the event for 2027, which is a massive win for the state. But for that to work, the 2026 schedule has to go off without a hitch.
We are looking at a "trial run" this autumn. The fall meet at Belmont will be the first time the new tracks—the 1.5-mile dirt, the two turf courses, and the Tapeta—are all used in a live racing environment.
Expect some growing pains. New tracks can be finicky. Sometimes they are "fast," sometimes they favor the inside rail. Jockeys like Irad Ortiz Jr. and Manny Franco will be learning the nuances of the new "Big Sandy" right alongside the bettors.
Actionable Steps for Racing Fans
If you are planning to attend any of these dates, don't wait until the last minute.
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First, get your Saratoga tickets for the Belmont Stakes now. Since it's the last year the race will be held at the Spa, demand is through the roof. VIP packages are already on sale as of early 2026, and general admission usually disappears the second it's released in the spring.
Second, sign up for the NYRA "Inside Post" newsletter. Because the September reopening is a "soft opening," seating will be limited. They aren't going to have 50,000 people in the stands on day one. It’s going to be a curated experience, and those who have a NYRA Bets account or are on the mailing list will get first crack at the reopening day tickets.
Finally, keep an eye on the construction updates. While the September 18 date is the official target, anyone who has ever done a home renovation knows that "official targets" can move. Check the official NYRA website or local New York news outlets in August to make sure the "Grand Opening" hasn't shifted to a "Grand October."
The wait has been long, but by the time the fall meet rolls around, New York racing will finally have the world-class home it’s been promising for decades.