The third jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown is set for Saturday, June 6, wrapping up an exciting five weeks when the sport takes center stage in American culture.

The 158^th Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets will be held at historic Saratoga Race Course for the third year in a row. In 2024, the Belmont Stakes moved to Saratoga while its traditional host track, Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., started on a massive reconstruction project. That project is scheduled to be completed late this summer with Belmont reopening in September. So, for one final time, the Belmont Stakes will run at the cherished upstate New York track called “the Spa.”

This year, Saratoga will host a five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 3-7, featuring not only the Belmont Stakes but several other important races. Saratoga will also hold a July 4 Racing Festival from July 3-5 before starting its traditional summer meet on July 9 which runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7.

Fans will descend on Saratoga Springs en masse next week – and if you’re among them, here’s what you need to know before you make the trip to attend what promises to be one of the highlights of the 2026 racing calendar.

Possible Rematch of Derby Top Four

As of May 29, the top four finishers in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve – Golden Tempo, Renegade, Ocelli, and Chief Wallabee – were targeting the Belmont Stakes. Golden Tempo edged Renegade by a neck in a thrilling 152^nd Derby. Get full analysis of the Belmont field in our Cheat Sheet presented by NYRA Bets.

Star Power on Display in Undercard Races

The Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap on the June 6 Belmont Stakes undercard – aka the “Met Mile” – is one of the most prestigious races in the sport and is particularly prized by owners who want to build up a horse’s credentials as a prospective stallion. This year’s Met Mile is expected to draw last year’s Preakness Stakes winner and Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes runner-up Journalism. The Met Mile, the Jaipur Stakes also on June 6, and the Ogden Phipps Stakes Presented by Ford on June 5 are “Win and You’re In” qualifiers for the Breeders’ Cup in late October at Keeneland, offering the winners fees-paid berths to World Championship races.

Picnic tables at a premium. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

How to Get to the Track, When It Opens, and Transportation/Parking

Saratoga Race Course is located at 267 Union Ave., east of downtown and accessible to those coming from out of town via I-87. Admission gates open at 9 a.m. ET on Belmont Stakes day, June 6, at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 5, and at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, Thursday, June 4, and Sunday, June 7.

The backyard picnic table area at Saratoga is hugely popular and the tables are coveted by fans who snag them on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you want one it is advised to get to the track well before the gates open to secure a spot in line.

Parking gates will open one hour before the admission gates each day. The New York Racing Association strongly recommends purchasing parking online in advance, but additional parking will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Access a map of Saratoga Race Course here.

The free CDTA Saratoga Summer Trolley will be operational June 4-6 during the Belmont Stakes Festival, transporting fans between downtown Saratoga Springs and the racetrack. View a route map here.

Entertainment Options for Belmont Week

There is an abundance of activities scheduled for the week of the Belmont Stakes Festival in and around Saratoga Springs. Following the opening card of racing at the five-day Belmont Festival, head to downtown Saratoga Springs for a free Belmont on Broadway concert scheduled from 7-10 p.m. ET and featuring popular pop-soul act Fitz and the Tantrums. Following the end of racing on Friday, celebrate “under the stars” at the Belmont Ball held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion a couple of blocks from the racetrack. The event is co-presented by the New York Racing Association Foundation and features cocktails, dinner, and dancing lasting from 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Aside from special events, Saratoga Springs is renowned among racing enthusiasts for having some of the finest food and drink establishments of any city/town with a racetrack. Check out our guide to classic dining establishments and our rundown of nine bars and breweries to visit.

Ticket Information

Purchase general admission tickets, premium hospitality tickets, and premium VIP packages here – and the earlier the better, especially for Belmont day, June 6.

Great betting at the Spa. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Keep Cash on Hand, but Just for Betting

The 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be cashless for many purchases, including food and beverage service, admissions, and parking. Credit and debit cards will be accepted.

On the other hand, placing a bet on-track, either with a mutuel clerk or using a self-service machine, is cash-only. Fans can also bet online via NYRA Bets – set up an account here and receive a bonus if you are a new member.

Try the Belmont Jewel

Like the Kentucky Derby’s Mint Julep and the Preakness’s Black-Eyed Susan cocktails, the Belmont Stakes has its own signature drink, the Belmont Jewel. It’s made from straight bourbon whiskey, lemonade, pomegranate juice, and lemon twist for garnish. It’s a great way to enjoy the day, and if you want to try it for yourself before splurging, go by the Jim Dandy Bar at the lower clubhouse for a tasting from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday (while supplies last).

Know What You Can and Can’t Bring

Before you head to the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga, it’s important to know what you can and can’t bring to the track. Folding chairs and coolers no larger than 12” x 18” containing food and non-alcoholic beverages (limit one each per adult) are permitted in keeping with Saratoga tradition. Outside alcoholic beverages, umbrellas, and tents are among prohibited items.

See the full list of allowed and prohibited items here.