2026 Belmont Stakes Week at a Glance
This year, historic Saratoga Race Course hosts its final Belmont Stakes.
Racing
Five straight days of world-class racing at Saratoga, with superstars both equine and human taking the track every day.
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NY Showcase Day: 6 stakes for NY-breds
- Beverly R. Steinman
- Belmont Gold Cup
- Intercontinental
- Pennine Ridge
- New York
- DK Horse Acorn
- Ogden Phipps pres. by Ford
- Belmont Stakes pres. by NYRA Bets (Post Time: 7:04pm ET)
- Resorts World Casino Manhattan
- Poker
- Soaring Softly
Events
The 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in Saratoga Springs promises a thrilling five-day celebration of thoroughbred racing and entertainment.
The centerpiece is the 158th running of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6.
Belmont on Broadway
EVENT INFO →
Free Concert Downtown: Fitz & The Tantrums + VIP pre-show w/ Chelsea Handler
Pre-show: 4:00pm | Show: 7:00pm
What to Expect at Saratoga Race Course
Below you'll find fan info for Belmont Stakes attendees. Complete 2026 policies will continue to be updated as they are announced.
Gate Entry & Picnic Tables at Saratoga
2026 gate open times vary by day:
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Wednesday, June 3, 2026: 11:00am
- Thursday, June 4, 2026: 11:00am
- Friday, June 5, 2026: 10:00am
- Saturday, June 6, 2026: 9:00am
- Sunday, June 7, 2026: 11:00am
There are three main entrances at Saratoga Race Course: Gates A and B are accessible via Union Avenue, and Gate C is accessible via Nelson Avenue. Refer to the Grounds Map below for more details.
There is no early‑morning access to the grounds, and re‑entry is prohibited once gates have officially opened each day of the festival.
Backyard picnic tables will be available free of charge to ticketholders on a first come, first served basis. Fans can access the backyard to secure a picnic table at the earliest gate open time on each day, stated above.
Your Tickets
Patrons should have tickets ready as they approach security. Sign in on a mobile device to your Ticketmaster account or NYRA AccountManager, depending on your method of purchase.
Once tickets are displayed on your phone, it is recommended that you save them to your phone’s mobile wallet for easy access on event day.
2026 Saratoga season passes do not include admission to race days during the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Transportation & Parking
Enjoy a seamless race day experience by planning travel ahead of time! Parking will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. Purchasing parking online in advance is recommended, especially for Friday and Saturday.
Parking gates will open one hour before admission gates each day.
The free CDTA Saratoga Summer Trolley will be operational each day of the Festival, transporting fans between downtown Saratoga Springs and the racetrack. View a route map here.
Official Grounds Map
Scroll to see the interior map, featuring many of the food & beverage options.
SAVE A COPY
Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Permitted & Banned Items
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: glass containers, grills, umbrellas, weapons, confetti, fireworks, and illegal drugs or substances.
ALL PROHIBITED ITEMSJune 4, June 5, June 6
The following items are not permitted Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6, 2026:
- No coolers (Exception: 12" x 18" maximum; limit one per guest; ice must be contained separately; medical supplies exempt)
- No outside alcohol
- No backpacks or handbags (Exception: 16" x 16" x 8" maximum)
- No temporary furniture (pop-up tents, folding tables; Exception: 1 folding chair per person maximum)
- No wagons or hand carts
June 3 and June 7
The following items are permitted on only Wednesday, June 3 and Sunday, June 7, 2026:
- Coolers (18" x 20" maximum; ice must be contained separately)
- Outside alcohol
- Temporary furniture (folding chairs, pop-up tents, folding tables)
- Wagons, hand carts
Entry into Saratoga Race Course is at the discretion of NYRA Security. NYRA Security reserves the right to deny any patron(s) entry that could distract from the experience of other guests at Saratoga Race Course. These policies may be changed at any time without notice.
Please note, there is no storage for items of any kind at Saratoga Race Course.
Betting on the Races
Betting and horse racing go hand in hand, and getting involved doesn't have to break the bank! Make basic wagers for as little as $1 per race. If you plan on playing the races, you may want to bring cash, depending on your method of wagering. Learn more about your options by visiting our How To Bet page.
Payments & Cash
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be cashless for many purchases, including food & beverage service, admissions, and parking. Credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets, and other mobile pay options, like Apple Pay, will be accepted for non-wagering purchases. Fans may still want to carry cash on race day if they plan to place wagers on-track.
Reverse ATMs, which convert cash into a debit card for purchases, are located in multiple locations throughout the venue. Consult the Grounds Map to view locations.
