Saratoga Sets the Stage for a Landmark 2026 Racing Season

The New York Racing Association, Inc. has announced the 2026 schedule for Saratoga Race Course, setting up a busy and historic season at the Spa. In total, the track will host 51 days of live thoroughbred racing, drawing fans to Saratoga Springs, NY throughout the summer.

One of the biggest highlights is the return of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will take place in Saratoga for the third and final time from June 3 through June 7. The festival includes the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes on June 6 before the event returns to Belmont Park in 2027.

The summer meet will open with the July 4th Racing Festival, running from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5. From there, the racing calendar will adjust to accommodate the expanded season.

To help fans plan their visits, NYRA outlined several changes to the summer meet schedule:

• Racing will be held on a four day, Thursday through Sunday schedule from July 9 through July 26.
• The meet will return to a five day racing week beginning Wednesday, July 29, continuing through August.
• The season will wrap up with a six day closing week from Wednesday, September 2 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

These adjustments mark the final year of schedule changes tied to construction at Belmont Park. Beginning in 2027, Saratoga Race Course will transition back to its traditional 40 day summer meet format.

Beyond the track, local leaders say the festivals bring meaningful economic benefits to Saratoga Springs. Events like Belmont on Broadway and the July 4th All American Celebration are expected to return, once again boosting hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions throughout the region.

Explore local lodging and plan your getaway >>

New Thoroughbred Championship Series Will Bring Season-Long Excitement to Saratoga

New Thoroughbred Championship Series Will Bring Season-Long Excitement to Saratoga

A new championship series will connect some of horse racing’s biggest events in 2027, including two major races at Saratoga Race Course.

The New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs Incorporated announced the creation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series on August 3, 2026. The six-race competition will establish a season-long championship for the nation’s leading three-year-old Thoroughbreds.

The inaugural series is scheduled to span five months, beginning with the Kentucky Derby in May and concluding with a new championship race at Churchill Downs in September.

Six Major Races Will Form the New Championship Series

The 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series is expected to include races at Churchill Downs, the newly transformed Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.

The preliminary schedule includes:

• Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1
• Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5
• Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in July
• Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in late July or early August
• Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in late August
• A championship race at Churchill Downs in September

Exact dates for the Matt Winn, Jim Dandy, Travers, and championship races will be announced later.

The series will use a unified points system intended to encourage leading three-year-olds to compete against one another more frequently. In addition to the purses offered for each race, a $5 million prize pool will be awarded based on the final standings.

NYRA and Churchill Downs are still developing the complete rules, eligibility requirements, nominations process, prize distribution, sponsorships, wagering opportunities, and championship branding.

The Jim Dandy and Travers Will Play Major Roles

The inclusion of two Saratoga races gives local fans an important place in the new championship storyline.

The Jim Dandy Stakes has traditionally served as a significant prep race for the Travers Stakes. Under the new format, both races will also help determine which horses remain in contention for the season-ending championship.

By the time the series reaches Saratoga, racing fans will have followed the leading three-year-olds through the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Matt Winn Stakes. Their performances in the Jim Dandy and Travers could then reshape the standings before the final race at Churchill Downs.

The Travers Stakes is already one of the most anticipated events of the Saratoga meet. Its place in the new series could add even more importance to the “Mid-Summer Derby,” particularly when several championship contenders arrive in Saratoga with points on the line.

Every Race Will Receive National Television Coverage

Each race in the Thoroughbred Championship Series will be broadcast to a national audience.

The NYRA races at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course will air on FOX. The Churchill Downs races will be shown on NBC. Additional broadcast and commercial partnership details will be released as agreements are finalized.

NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke said the series is designed to showcase the best three-year-olds across an entire season while creating new fans and elevating the sport’s marquee events.

Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen added that connecting the races through one championship will give fans introduced to the sport during the Kentucky Derby a reason to continue following the horses throughout the season.

More Thoroughbred Championship Details Are Coming

Several pieces of the championship format are still being finalized, including the complete points system, eligibility rules, prize breakdown, and final race dates.

The inaugural Thoroughbred Championship Series is expected to begin on May 1, 2027. Saratoga racing fans can look forward to seeing the championship contenders compete in both the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes during the 2027 summer meet.

Read the official announcement from NYRA and follow our Saratoga Racing News for future schedule and series updates.

2026 Saratoga Race Course Summer Meet: Can't-Miss Events & Highlights

The 2026 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is officially underway, running through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, and bringing 46 days of world-class thoroughbred racing, signature stakes races, fan giveaways, and special events to Saratoga Springs.

Whether you're planning your first visit or making your annual trip to the Spa, here are some of the biggest highlights to add to your calendar.

Racing Returns to Five Days a Week

The summer meet is currently running on a temporary Thursday-through-Sunday schedule, giving fans an action-packed four-day racing week to kick off the summer.

However, the action soon transitions back to its traditional Wednesday-through-Sunday schedule beginning on Wednesday, July 29. For many longtime racing fans, this marks the true return of the classic Saratoga summer rhythm, bringing five straight days of world-class racing each week through Labor Day.

Whitney Day Delivers One of the Summer's Biggest Racing Cards

Whitney Day on Saturday, August 8, is highlighted by the prestigious Grade 1 Whitney Stakes, while the racing card also features several additional Grade 1 races, making it one of the strongest programs of the entire meet.

Expect:

• Elite thoroughbreds from around the country
• Packed grandstands and clubhouse
• A lively atmosphere throughout Saratoga Race Course

DraftKings Travers Day Is the Signature Event of the Meet

No racing day draws more excitement than DraftKings Travers Day on Saturday, August 29.

Centered around the historic Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes, often called the "Mid-Summer Derby," this marquee day also features multiple Grade 1 races and attracts many of the nation's top three-year-old horses.

Travers Day is one of the largest sporting events in Upstate New York and regularly sells out, making early planning essential.

Closing Week Ends the Summer in Style

The final stretch of the meet runs from Wednesday, September 2 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, giving fans six straight days of racing to wrap up another memorable Saratoga season.

Closing Week offers one last opportunity to:

• Watch live racing at the Spa
• Enjoy the final giveaways of the season
• Experience Labor Day festivities
• Soak in the unique atmosphere before racing returns next year

Don't Miss the Fan Giveaways

The 2026 meet features 11 giveaway days, with items available to fans with paid admission while supplies last.

Some of this year's giveaways include:

• Saratoga tumblers
• Soccer jerseys
• Belt bags
• Horse plush toys for Kids Day
• Straw cowboy hats
• Mini lawn jockey statues
• Saratoga flannel shirts on Closing Day

Arriving early is recommended, as giveaway items often run out quickly.

Special Event Days Throughout the Summer

Beyond the racing, Saratoga Race Course hosts themed events that celebrate the community and make each visit unique.

Some of the featured special days include:

• Adirondack Day
• First Responders Day
• Kids Day
• Family Sundays
• Additional themed promotions and entertainment throughout the meet

These events often include special ceremonies, family activities, entertainment, and exclusive promotions that add even more excitement to a day at the races.

Plan Your Visit to Saratoga Race Course

From Opening Weekend and Whitney Day to Travers Day and the Labor Day finale, the 2026 Saratoga Race Course summer meet offers something for every racing fan.

BUY TICKETS

View the full list of special events >>