The wait is finally over. This Friday, September 18, 2026, horse racing officially enters a new era as the completely reimagined Belmont Park opens its doors to the public for the first time in over three years.
With a staggering $450 million dollar price tag the historic Elmont track was leveled and rebuilt into a sleek, 21st-century racing oasis.
Whether you are one of the lucky few holding a ticket for Opening Day or planning a trip later in this fall meet, here is your consummate guide on what to expect when the gates swing open.
1. A Sleek, Glass-Enclosed Grandstand: The most striking change is the physical structure itself. Gone are the massive, cavernous concrete stands built in 1968, along with the traditional brick walls and ivy. In their place stands a state-of-the-art, five-story glass and aluminum grandstand.
The Catch: Because construction is still wrapping up, only the first two floors will be accessible during the fall meet. Floors 3 through 5 are scheduled to be completed in early 2027.
Intimate Footprint: At 275,000 square feet, the building is about one-third the size of the old grandstand. It was intentionally scaled down to prioritize high-tech fan experiences over empty concrete.
More Green Space: Shrinking the building footprint means vastly expanded backyard picnic areas, massive green park spaces, and a reimagined paddock centered around the iconic SECRETARIAT statue.
2. Upgraded Surfaces & All-Weather Winter Racing: The infrastructure overhaul at Belmont is built for the future and horse safety.
The venue now boasts four newly constructed racing surfaces. While the main dirt track and twin turf courses have been entirely modernized with premium irrigation systems, the crown jewel is a brand-new one-mile Tapeta synthetic track.
This all-weather surface will allow Belmont to host winter racing safely, completely absorbing downstate operations following the permanent closure of Aqueduct Racetrack earlier this year.
3. Star-Studded Opening Day Action: Opening Day is pulling out all the stops to kick off the fall meet.
Live Entertainment: Multi-platinum country superstar Dierks Bentley will perform a live concert at 3:30 PM, right before the headline race
The Big Race: The centerpiece of Friday’s 9-race card is the $1 million-dollar, Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. It features an encore appearance by International Champion and defending Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, FOEVER YOUNG.
This fall meet is just a preview of what’s to come. The Belmont Stakes finished its temporary residency at Saratoga in June, the historic race will officially return home to this magnificent new facility in June 2027.
Even bigger? The new Belmont Park has already been selected to host the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
