Belmont Park has reopened on Long Island following a three-year, $555 million modernization program, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by New York Gov. Katy Hochul. The historic racing venue is resuming operations with an upgraded physical plant and an expanded racing calendar that will, for the first time in its history, include year-round racing.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has overseen a comprehensive reconstruction of the property, highlighted by the development of a new five-story grandstand. The updated grandstand is intended to accommodate large event crowds while providing improved viewing and circulation for spectators attending major race days and regular meets.
NYRA also modernized Belmont Park’s racing and training infrastructure as part of the project. The rebuilt facility now features four new racetracks, including the traditional 1 1/2-mile dirt track that has long been associated with the Belmont Stakes. Two turf courses and a one-mile Tapeta oval have been added, expanding the range of racing surfaces available and updating the complex to contemporary racing standards.
Public financing played a central role in enabling the reconstruction, with the effort supported by a $455 million state loan. That commitment helped advance the large-scale capital program needed to replace aging facilities and upgrade the racing surfaces and supporting infrastructure across the property.
With the modernization underway, Belmont Park is positioned to reclaim its role as a premier racing destination. The Belmont Stakes is slated to return to the venue, and the Breeders Cup is scheduled to be hosted there in 2027. The reconfigured property is expected to support a broader slate of racing events across the calendar, reflecting its new year-round operating model.
According to Gov. Hochul’s office, once the project is fully complete, the redeveloped Belmont Park will have capacity for at least 50,000 spectators for the Belmont Stakes and other major racing events. That projected capacity is expected to match the historic Saratoga Race Course, underscoring Belmont Park’s continued importance within the region’s horse racing and spectator sports landscape.
