Belmont Stakes to Return to Saratoga Race Course in 2026

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Belmont Stakes will take place at Saratoga Race Course for a third consecutive year on June 6, 2026. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the news on Friday morning as renovations continue at Belmont Park in Elmont.

The decision was made to ensure that the event remains free from construction-related restrictions. Hochul’s office stated that Belmont Park is expected to reopen in September 2026, after the Triple Crown races have concluded.

“While NYRA had previously left open the possibility of hosting a Belmont Stakes in a partially completed facility, returning to Saratoga will allow for a better experience for fans,” Hochul said in a statement.

Dave O’Rourke, President and CEO of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), expressed support for the decision. “Saratoga has served our fans extremely well during the construction of Belmont Park. We are excited to host the Belmont Stakes there for a third and final time next June,” O’Rourke said.

The Belmont Stakes has been held at Saratoga during Belmont Park’s renovations over the past two years. O’Rourke and Hochul emphasized the importance of the race in preserving New York’s rich horse racing heritage while looking ahead to the future.

Hochul stated, “New York is home to world class sports and entertainment, and this final chapter of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga honors our racing heritage.”

The Belmont Stakes will run the shorter distance of 1 1/4 miles, instead of the traditional 1 1/2 miles, while at Saratoga. The race’s long-standing tradition will continue until Belmont Park is fully rebuilt and ready to host its next event in 2027.

In 2024, Dornoch, a horse co-owned by former Phillies All-Star Jayson Werth, won the first Belmont Stakes held in Saratoga. The anticipation grows for the 2026 race as Belmont Park’s renovations include a significant modernization of its facilities.

NYRA has committed $100 million to improve the current tracks and to construct a new all-weather track as part of the massive redevelopment.