Overview
- Belmont Park reopened on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, with a nine-race card that included the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and drew a limited crowd under a phased plan.
- The renovation cost roughly $455 million in state loans plus about $100 million from the New York Racing Association and rebuilt the grandstand, added a synthetic winter track, multiple turf courses and infield access.
- The venue is operating with reduced capacity — 6,000 for opening weekend and 4,000 thereafter — with only the first two floors open and full grandstand work expected to finish in spring 2027.
- New guest rules ban outside alcohol and coolers while the facility shifts toward year-round racing and non-racing events, and officials project about $155 million in annual economic output and $10 million in tax revenue.
- The reopening comes as NYRA and Churchill Downs announced a six-race Thoroughbred Championship Series for 2027 that excludes the Preakness, prompting Maryland to invest in Pimlico and Laurel and raising questions about how the national racing calendar will evolve.