Belmont Park is slated to throw open the gates on Sept. 18, 2026, wrapping a multi‑year reconstruction that trades the sprawling 1968 grandstand for a leaner five‑story facility and an infield that fans can finally step into. The state‑backed rebuild, supported in part by roughly $455 million in public financing, also brings a new one‑mile all‑weather Tapeta oval and sets Belmont up to host major racing events later in the decade, just as Aqueduct plans a farewell weekend in late June.
A new grandstand and more green space
The centerpiece of the project is a compact five‑story grandstand designed to meet modern sports‑venue standards. NYRA says the new layout shrinks the old building’s footprint and opens up the interior oval to spectators, with new pedestrian and vehicle tunnels connecting to the infield. The redesign carves out about 20 acres of usable infield green space for race viewing, festivals and community events, and a Sept. 18–20 soft opening is being lined up to let fans preview the refreshed campus. The long‑term goal is to make Belmont a year‑round hub for racing and entertainment, according to CBS New York.
Four tracks and a winter Tapeta oval
On the racing side, the overhaul rebuilds the surfaces from the inside out. The 1½‑mile main dirt track known as “Big Sandy” stays in place, while two turf courses have been widened. Inside those sits the new one‑mile Tapeta oval, which will handle winter racing and provide a consistent option when races need to be moved off the grass. Industry reports say the Tapeta has already passed the manufacturer’s inspection and is scheduled for training use before being fully pressed into service for the fall meet. NYRA projects that the new configuration will allow racing at Belmont for roughly 11 months a year, with BloodHorse detailing the sequence and schedule for the surface work.
Hospitality, sightlines and big screens
Inside the new grandstand, the plan is to mix everyday access with high‑end perks. General admission, terrace and loge seating will sit alongside premium suites, climate‑controlled lounges and an expanded first‑floor food and beverage concourse. Trade coverage describes a slate of Champion Suites, multi‑day mini‑plans and a variety of indoor and outdoor viewing spaces aimed at improving both paddock and track sightlines. As Daily Racing Form reports, many premium packages are already close to being spoken for, and fans can expect a mix of intimate indoor vantage points and open‑air terraces when the building begins its partial opening.
Soft opening, phased access and Aqueduct's final days
NYRA and industry outlets say the comeback will roll out in stages. For the September 2026 preview, only the first two floors of the grandstand are expected to be open while interior finishes continue upstairs. Additional levels, suites and banquet areas are scheduled to reach full operation by spring 2027, a phased‑access plan outlined by BloodHorse. At the same time, Aqueduct is preparing to say goodbye, with a ticketed farewell weekend set for June 27–28, 2026, marking the final live race days at the Big A as NYRA consolidates downstate racing at the rebuilt Belmont. NYRA’s event details for the send‑off are posted by NYRA.
Breeders' Cup, budgets and what comes next
State officials point to the FY‑2024 authorization that cleared roughly $455 million in loan funding for the Belmont project and say the investment is expected to generate construction jobs and fresh tourism spending in the region. The upgraded track has already landed a marquee prize, with the Breeders' Cup World Championships awarded to Belmont for 2027, a booking that state leaders and NYRA are promoting as a key return on the overhaul. In a public announcement, Governor Kathy Hochul's office framed both the financing package and the 2027 Breeders' Cup as central to bringing major national racing back to Long Island.
