NYRA highlights Belmont Stakes Racing Festival policies
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced guest policies for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held at historic Saratoga Race Course from Wednesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 8.
Highlighted by the 157th edition of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 7, the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will include 27 stakes races with purses totaling $11,275,000, the richest purses and highest number of stakes offered since the launch of the multi-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014.
Admission gates will open to the public at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 10 a.m. on Friday; and 9 a.m. on Saturday, Belmont Stakes Day. Parking gates open an hour earlier on each day. Re-entry will not be permitted during the five-day festival.
Belmont Stakes Day, June 7, will feature first post time of 10:45 a.m.; post time on Friday, June 6 will be 11:40 a.m.; and post time for June 4, 5, and 8 will be at 12:40 p.m.
Fans can view morning training at the Oklahoma training track from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday by entering through Gate 21 on East Avenue (pedestrians only; vehicles not permitted).
The main track at Saratoga will be closed to the public for morning training during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, but will re-open for Breakfast at Saratoga on Opening Day of the summer meet, which is Thursday, July 10.
Policies with regards to personal coolers and additional fan amenities will align with the traditional Saratoga summer meet on Wednesday and Sunday. Fans are not permitted to carry alcohol into Saratoga Race Course from Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7.
Cash will not be accepted for food and beverage purchases, admission, parking or programs (with the exception of the official Saratoga store) during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Each fan is welcome to bring one folding chair for personal use in the backyard during each day of the Belmont Stakes Festival, but pop-up tents, folding tables and wagons are not allowed onto the grounds from Thursday to Saturday. Small bags and purses are permitted.
Professional photography and/or videography equipment is prohibited. This includes cameras with detachable lenses, tripods/monopods and any equipment designed for the sole purpose of video and/or audio recording.
A comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items can be found at Belmont Stakes Policies.
The NYRA Box Office located at Gate A will be open daily beginning Monday, June 2 from 9:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. for the duration of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Hours may vary depending on daily racing schedules.
For more information about the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course, visit BelmontStakes.com.