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Belmont Park is back in the saddle.
The world-famous Long Island racetrack reopened on Friday, September 18, following a three-year overhaul that replaced its aging grandstand, rebuilt its racing surfaces and added multiple bars and restaurants that will ease the pain of that losing trifecta.
Designed by global sports architecture firm Populous, the project included a $455 million grandstand and $100 million in track renovations. The new five-story building spans roughly 300,000 square feet. While it's a dramatic reduction from its approximately 1.25-million-square-foot predecessor, the smaller footprint makes room for more green space, an expanded paddock and a public infield—a first in Belmont Park’s history.
The more compact grandstand is also considerably sleeker: floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of both the track and paddock, while horses pass through a glass-lined opening on their way to race. The first floor includes general-admission bars and concessions; upstairs are sit-down restaurants, clubs and a NYRA Bets room. Celebrity chef Marc Forgione is behind food at the Turf Club and other dining venues, with dishes including chili lobster on Texas toast, chicken under a brick and steaks served with bone marrow gremolata.
“We wanted to keep a lot of exposure to the animals with the public,” NYRA president and CEO David O’Rourke told the New York Post. The paddock is twice its former size and the grounds are designed to encourage visitors to wander rather than remain planted in stadium-style seating all afternoon.
Four newly constructed racing surfaces include Belmont’s famed mile-and-a-half dirt oval, two turf courses and a one-mile synthetic track that will allow winter racing. Fans will also find Big Red’s, a bar named for Secretariat, and a stage that will host country star Dierks Bentley during today’s festivities.
Hold your horses, though, before expecting the entire property. Only the first two floors of the grandstand are currently open, and capacity is limited to 6,000 during opening weekend. The remaining levels (including luxury suites and an event space overlooking the Manhattan skyline) are expected to debut in spring 2027, before the Belmont Stakes returns in June.
Today’s sold-out opening card includes nine races, led by the Grade 1 $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup. The 46-day fall meet continues through December 6, generally from Thursday through Sunday. Advance general admission for most dates costs $7 or $10 at the gate. The LIRR serves Elmont–UBS Arena station, with complimentary shuttles running to the track on race days.