Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Highlights
Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course from Wednesday, June 3 – Sunday, June 7
2026 Belmont Stakes Tickets
- Belmont Stakes Day: $75 General Admission Online or At the Gate
- Exclusive 3-day pass for $99 (Thu-Sat) at Stewart’s Shops
- Five-day festival pass for $120 at BelmontStakes.com
COOLERS: Fans bringing coolers must ensure all ice is contained inside sealed bags upon arrival at the admission gates. Designated cooler inspection lanes will be set up at Gate B (Union and East Avenue) and Gate C (Nelson Avenue). All fans with coolers must enter through either gate.
Fans are permitted to bring alcoholic beverages on Wednesday, June 3, and Sunday, June 7. Consistent with prior years, fans will be permitted non-alcoholic beverages and food within personal-sized coolers measuring 12”x18” on Thursday, June 4; Friday, June 5; and Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 6.
PAYMENT OPTIONS: NYRA provides convenient access to reverse ATMs for fans who choose to pay in cash for purchases of food and beverage, admission, parking or programs. Credit and debit cards are welcome at all on-track locations.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with first post at 12:35 p.m.
There is no access to the main track prior to the opening of admission gates during the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Oklahoma Morning Training
Fans can watch morning workouts from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Pedestrians may access the Oklahoma training track through Gate 21 on East Avenue (no vehicles allowed).
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on FOX
For the fourth consecutive year, FOX will present live broadcast coverage of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. FOX Sports is the television home of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, providing viewers across the country with wall-to-wall coverage and expansive on-site analysis of the five-day Festival from Saratoga Race Course. For the complete broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit BelmontStakes.com.
New York Showcase Day
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival kicks off with the nation’s top steeplechasers in the Grade 1, $150,000 Beverly R. Steinman before the card moves into New York Showcase Day dedicated to New York-breds. The special program will offer six $200,000 events exclusively for horses foaled in the Empire State, including the Mike Lee, the Bouwerie, the Commentator, the Critical Eye, the Kingston and the Mount Vernon.
Taste NY Pavilion
Complimentary samplings of craft beverages produced exclusively in New York State will be offered every day of the Belmont Stakes Festival from noon to 5 p.m. The Taste NY Pavilion is located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch. Fans must be 21 or older with valid ID to sample and purchase alcohol.
New York 250 Commission Display
Representatives from the New York State Museum, in conjunction with the America 250 New York Commission, will be at the Jockey Silks Porch on Wednesday and Thursday with an exhibit display and activities celebrating America’s 250th birthday within New York.
Belmont on Broadway
For the third consecutive year, Belmont on Broadway will kick off the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in downtown Saratoga Springs. Running from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Broadway outside the Saratoga Springs City Center, the event will be highlighted by a free concert headlined by indie-pop group Fitz and the Tantrums. The free concert will begin with a performance by the rock band Vertical Horizon.
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with first post at 12:35 p.m.
Belmont Gold Cup
Thursday’s card features four stakes races, highlighted by the Grade 2, $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup, which will be a ‘Golden Ticket’ event offering the winner an automatic berth into the Group 1, Lexus Melbourne Cup. The continuing partnership between NYRA and the Victoria Racing Club will provide the winner of the Belmont Gold Cup, a two-mile test for older horses, a place in the starting gate for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, “the race that stops the nation” on November 3 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Fans will have the opportunity to take their photo with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Porch. The 18-carat trophy is created from 34 gold pieces and was hand-crafted for over 200 hours. The Melbourne Cup is awarded to the owner of the winning horse, and smaller replicas are given to the trainer and jockey.
Friday, June 5, 2026
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 10 a.m. with first post at 11:45 a.m.
Belmont Stakes Collectible Pennant
Fans will receive a Belmont Stakes commemorative felt pennant featuring the official 2026 Belmont Stakes logo. The collectible pennant is free with paid admission while supplies last.
Five Graded Stakes
Friday, June 5 will feature 5 graded stakes highlighted by the Grade 1, $750,000 New York; the Grade 1, $500,000 Odgen Phipps presented by Ford; and the Grade 1, $500,000 DraftKings Acorn.
Belmont Toast the Turn pres. by Guinness
Limited tickets remain for Belmont Toast the Turn in an exclusive, partially covered area along the Clubhouse turn. Each ticket includes two alcoholic beverages, access to food trucks, and numerous giveaways, while supplies last, for fans 21 and older. Tickets may be purchased at gofevo.com/group/BSRFtoastturnG.
Opera Saratoga
Opera Saratoga, founded in 1962 as Lake George Opera, will perform a pair of sets trackside during the afternoon, featuring selections from the musical “My Fair Lady.” Opera Saratoga will celebrate its 65th season during its summer residency at Universal Preservation Hall from June 20-28.
Beverage Samplings
Fans 21 and older can enjoy complimentary offerings from several partners of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from noon to 4 p.m., while supplies last. Samples of the Belmont Jewel, the official cocktail of the Belmont Stakes, will be available at the Jim Dandy Bar, presented by Redemption; the Saratoga Sunrise, the official cocktail of Saratoga Race Course, at the Chopin Vodka Bar on the second floor of the Clubhouse; Cointreau Orange Spritz at the Cointreau Bar on the second floor of the Clubhouse; Bulleit served out of the Bulleit Woody at the Backyard Bulleit Gazebo; and Casamigos available at the Casamigos Backyard Gazebo.
Dunkin’ Kiosk and Sampling Van
Dunkin’ will offer complimentary samples of its popular refreshers outside Gates B and C beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m. The Dunkin’ Kiosk will also feature games, giveaways and photo moments throughout the afternoon outside the Main Gate.
Saturday, June 6, 2026 (Belmont Stakes Day)
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 9 a.m. with first post at 11 a.m.
The Belmont Stakes pres. by NYRA Bets
A blockbuster Belmont Stakes Day includes six Grade 1 events among seven graded stakes headlined by the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets and featuring the Grade 1, $1 million Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap; the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino Manhattan; the Grade 1, $500,000 Jaipur; the Grade 1, $500,000 Woody Stephens presented by Mohegan Sun; the Grade 1 $500,000 Just a Game presented by Resolute Racing and the Grade 3, $400,000 True North.
Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on FOX
FOX Sports will present live coverage of Belmont Stakes Day beginning at 10:30 a.m. on FS2 before moving to FOX from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. FOX broadcast coverage continues alongside FS1 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. while concluding on FS2 at 8:15 p.m.
West Point Anthem Performance and Parachute Team
Sergeant First Class Emily McAleesejergins will perform the National Anthem accompanied by members of the United States Military Academy who will present the colors. Later that afternoon, the renowned West Point parachute team will deliver a special on-track demonstration as part of the Belmont Stakes Day festivities.
Fashionably Belmont
Fans can participate in a Belmont Stakes fashion photo opportunity, presented by Moët Hennessy, Lifestyles of Saratoga, and Miss Scarlet Boutique for a chance to win prizes.
The fashionable event runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Porch. All contestants will receive a complimentary photo magnet from On the Spot Photos.
New York, New York
Acclaimed vocalist Sal Valentinetti will perform a stirring rendition of “New York, New York” moments before the 158th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. Valentinetti first rose to prominence as a finalist on America’s Got Talent. The Bethpage, NY, native has since performed to sold-out audiences across the globe.
Racing City Chorus
The Racing City Chorus, a local chapter of the Barber Shop Harmony Society, will perform trackside during the afternoon. Founded in 1956, the Saratoga Springs-based chorus performs at various community events throughout the year.
Complimentary Caricatures
Fans can take home complimentary caricatures, courtesy of artist Phil Singer from noon to 6 p.m.
Beverage Samplings
Fans can enjoy complimentary offerings from several beverage partners of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from noon to 4 p.m., while supplies last. Samples of Mionetto, including a floral photo wall, will be available outside the Mionetto Easy Goer; Bulleit, featuring the Bulleit Woody, at the Bulleit Backyard Gazebo; Casamigos at the Casamigos Backyard Gazebo; and Subourbon Ready to Drink cocktails outside the Subourbon Life Beverage Express. Must be 21 or older with valid ID.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with first post at 12:35 p.m.
Pair of Graded Stakes
The final day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be headlined by the Grade 3, $300,000 Poker and Grade 3, $200,000 Soaring Softly.
Mohonasen High School Marching Band
The award-winning Mohonasen High School Marching Band and its 60-member team will perform trackside during the afternoon, accompanied by 30 members of the Mohonasen Color Guard. The highly competitive ensemble from nearby Schenectady is one of the top marching bands in New York State.
Drink Specials
Fans will enjoy 2 for 1 drink specials on various canned and bottled beverages, including Miller Lite, Modelo, Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois, Coke products and Dasani Water.
All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.
