Belmont Park Modernization

March 4, 2024

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a project timeline and additional updates on the construction of new thoroughbred racing facilities at Belmont Park, the Nassau County home of the Belmont Stakes. The New York Racing Association, which will oversee construction, released a series of architectural renderings to bring the project’s vision to life. Expected to be completed in Q3 of 2026, the multi-year project to build a new Belmont Park will generate $1 billion in construction-related economic impact and create 3,700 construction-related jobs.

RENDERINGS & TIMELINE

“The redevelopment of Belmont Park is a critical investment in one of New York’s most historic sporting venues,” Governor Hochul said. “The new facility will support year-round racing, thousands of new jobs for Long Islanders and provide an enhanced experience for customers attending the iconic Belmont Stakes for generations to come.”

NYRA has developed a project plan that will allow for the Belmont Stakes to return to Belmont Park in June of 2026 prior to the full opening of the new building, which is scheduled for September of 2026. Although a venue for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships has yet to be determined, the new Belmont Park will be complete and ready to host the 2026 Breeders’ Cup should the opportunity arise. The Breeders’ Cup has announced its commitment to add Belmont to the rotation of host venues following NYRA’s modernization of the facility.

Beyond the fan-facing improvements to Belmont, NYRA is committed to expanding its ongoing campaign to modernize the Belmont barn area and backstretch by building three new dormitories by 2026. NYRA will also make further investments to improve the quality of life in the backstretch community, including:

• Improvements to the on-site medical facility
• Installing a modern Blue Light security system
• Upgrading the Recreation Hall and Track Kitchen facilities
• Renovating the on-site Gymnasium
• Implementing new flood mitigation strategies
• Ensuring access to reliable Wi-Fi
• Replacing fencing throughout the backstretch
• Improving multi-modal travel through constructing bicycle storage sheds
• Assess the feasibility of subsidized assistant trainer efficiency apartments

The new Belmont grandstand, which is being designed by the well-known architectural firm Populous in conjunction with NYRA, will dramatically increase the amount of unstructured green space available to fans by reducing the overall footprint of the building. And because of the vehicular and pedestrian tunnels providing access to the 45-acre Belmont infield for the first time, the new Belmont Park will provide fans and the surrounding community with more open space than ever before. As the first ground-up racetrack construction to occur in the United States in nearly 40 years, the new Belmont Park will reflect the continued success of thoroughbred racing in New York State while reinforcing the property’s status as an internationally recognized capital of horse racing.

While the new Belmont Park will have the same 50,000-person capacity as the existing venue, the layout of seats, suites, and standing spaces has been adjusted to accommodate flexible seasonal attendance. The addition of a winterized building paired with new racing surfaces and a synthetic track will result in a facility suitable to host thoroughbred racing on a year-round basis. As required by the 2024 Enacted Budget, NYRA will consolidate all downstate racing and training activities at the new Belmont Park to unlock 110 acres of New York State-owned land at Aqueduct Racetrack for development opportunities.