What to Know About the 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
The Belmont Stakes has a rich history in American horse racing and stands as the legendary final leg of the prestigious Triple Crown. Here's what you need to know about the 2026 Belmont Stakes and the surrounding Belmont Stakes Racing Festival being held in Saratoga Springs, NY, this June.
Plan Ahead for the 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
The 2026 Belmont Stakes will be run on Saturday, June 6, 2026, as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course. The five-day festival runs Wednesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 7, continuing the race’s longstanding early June tradition and anchoring a major week of premier thoroughbred racing in upstate New York.
The 2026 running marks the third straight year the Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga Race Course. The move is part of the ongoing redevelopment of Belmont Park, which remains under construction through 2026. Saratoga has served as the temporary home of the race since 2024, giving the event a unique setting at one of the country’s most historic tracks.
The race will shift back to Belmont Park in 2027 when the state-of-the-art new facility opens. Until then, Saratoga continues to host this celebrated fixture of American racing.
Key Information for the 2026 Belmont Stakes & Belmont Stakes Racing Festival
2026 Gate & Post Times
Keep an eye on the shifting timeline across the five days, as gates open significantly earlier closer to the weekend to accommodate the peak crowds.
- Wednesday, June 3: Gates open at 11:00 am | First Post at 12:35 pm | Final Post at 5:48 pm
- Thursday, June 4: Gates open at 11:00 am | First Post at 12:35 pm | Final Post at 6:16 pm
- Friday, June 5: Gates open at 10:00 am | First Post at 11:45 am | Final Post at 7:43 pm
- Saturday, June 6 (Belmont Stakes Day): Gates open at 9:00 am | First Post at 11:00 am | Official Belmont Stakes Post Time is 7:04 pm | Final Post at 8:02 pm
- Sunday, June 7: Gates open at 11:00 am | First Post at 12:35 pm | Final Post at 5:47 pm
Note: There is no early-morning access to the grounds for workouts, and re-entry is strictly prohibited once gates have officially opened each day.
2026 Belmont Stakes Ticket Details
General admission, reserved seating, and premium hospitality trackside packages are currently available.
2026 Special Events & Highlights
The 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival promises a thrilling five-day celebration packed with world-class thoroughbred racing and premium entertainment. The excitement spans across the entire region, featuring a mix of exclusive trackside experiences at Saratoga Race Course and vibrant community festivities in downtown Saratoga Springs itself:
Around Town (Downtown Saratoga Springs)
- Belmont on Broadway (Wednesday, June 3): Kick off the festival week with a massive Free Concert right in downtown Saratoga Springs! The evening features a highly anticipated performance by Fitz & The Tantrums, with a special VIP pre-show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler. The pre-show begins at 4:00 pm, followed by the main concert at 7:00 pm.
- Belmont Bash (Thursday, June 4): A premium celebratory cocktail event running from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm at a premier off-track venue, honoring the connections of the 2025 Belmont Stakes winner, Sovereignty. (Note: This event is officially SOLD OUT).
- The Belmont Ball (Friday, June 5): An elegant cocktail dinner party hosted in the Saratoga community benefiting equine charities. The ball runs from 6:45 pm to 10:30 pm and requires advance tickets.
On-Track at Saratoga Race Course
- Friday Pennant Giveaway (Friday, June 5): Commemorate your trip to the historic festival with a free 2026 Belmont Stakes collectible pennant, available with paid track admission while supplies last.
- Belmont Stakes Day Celebrations (Saturday, June 6): Anchored by the 158th running of the Grade 1 centerpiece presented by NYRA Bets, fans on-track can also enjoy Free Fashion Photos & Caricatures throughout the afternoon to capture their race day style.
- Trackside Drink Specials: Keep the celebration going right by the rail with exclusive 2-for-1 Drink Specials on select canned/bottled beer, sodas, juices, and iced teas.
2026 Racetrack Policies
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has shared the official policies for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Entry into Saratoga Race Course is at the discretion of NYRA Security, and there is no storage available for items of any kind at the venue.
Items Allowed on All Festival Days
The following items are permitted throughout the entirety of the festival:
- Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages
- Folding chairs (limit one per person)
- Coolers up to 12" x 18" in size (one per guest)
- Baby or diaper bags (must contain childcare supplies and accompany a child)
- Bags and purses no larger than 16" x 16" x 8"
- Binoculars, seat cushions, and sunscreen
- Cell phones and tablets (subject to screening)
- Small cameras with detachable lenses no more than 6 inches
- Strollers (only when used for transporting a child)
- Personal-sized umbrellas
Special Relaxed Allowances for Wednesday, June 3 and Sunday, June 7
On opening Wednesday and closing Sunday only, the venue environment is more relaxed. The following additional items will be allowed past the gates:
- Outside alcohol (must be in non-glass containers)
- Standard-sized coolers (beyond the peak 12" x 18" restriction)
- Folding tables and pop-up tents
- Hand carts and wagons
Items Not Allowed at Any Time During the Festival
The following items are strictly prohibited during all festival dates, regardless of the day:
- Outside Alcohol & Large Coolers (Strictly prohibited from Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6)
- Aerosol products, air horns, or other noise-making devices
- Animals (excluding service animals)
- Backpacks, or any bags/purses larger than 16" x 16" x 8"
- Cameras with detachable lenses longer than 6 inches, tripods, and professional video/audio recording equipment
- Drones, remote-controlled flying devices, fireworks, confetti, or glitter
- Glass or aluminum bottles
- Grills or lighter fluid
- Illegal drugs or substances, laser pointers, poles, staffs, or sticks
- Skateboards, hoverboards, or recreational vehicles (ADA-approved devices are permitted)
- Sports equipment (including balls and frisbees)
- Personal umbrellas on peak days (only personal-sized allowed)
- Weapons of any kind (including firearms, knives, mace, or pepper spray)
Are you ready for the historic return of the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga Springs? Pack your finest track attire, review your schedule, and get ready for an unforgettable chapter in racing history!
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