Belmont Park limits outside alcohol, coolers in 2022

In advance of the 2022 Belmont Park spring/summer meet, which begins on April 28, on Friday the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) released updated information for fans planning to attend live racing at Belmont Park this season.

Admission to Belmont Park will be $5 daily, outside of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Admission may be purchased in advance via Ticketmaster or at any admission gate. Admission gates will open at 11 a.m. daily, unless otherwise indicated. On twilight racing days, admission gates will open at 1 p.m.

NYRA is offering the Belmont Park season pass once again in 2022, which provides general admission on every live race day during the spring/summer and fall meets, including all three days of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Season passes are available for $95 and can be purchased at NYRA.com.

The construction of UBS Arena has reduced the size of the Belmont Park backyard and resulted in updated safety and security protocols. As a result, outside alcoholic beverages and large coolers will only be permitted in the Top of the Stretch reserved picnic area. Fans will no longer be permitted to enter other areas of Belmont Park with outside alcoholic beverages or coolers larger than a personal-sized 12 inches by 6 inches.

Tickets to the Top of the Stretch start at just $15 per person, which includes track admission and access to a shared table for the day. In addition to individual tables, full sections within the Top of the Stretch can accommodate up to 48 guests and include six picnic tables and two charcoal grills. Smaller sections of the Top of the Stretch can accommodate up to 32 guests and include four picnic tables.

Top of the Stretch ticket holders may enter Belmont Park via a dedicated entrance immediately adjacent to the Top of the Stretch. For additional information, and to purchase tickets or secure group reservations to the Top of the Stretch, visit NYRA.com/TopStretch.

These updated protocols do not apply to Saratoga Race Course, where the longstanding NYRA policy allowing fans to enter with coolers and outside food and beverages remains in place.

For the month of April, first post will be 1:20 p.m. EDT daily before shifting to 1 p.m. EDT on May 1. Twilight racing will be offered on Thursdays beginning May 12 with a first post time of 3:05 p.m. EDT. First post on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 7, will be 12:20 p.m. EDT and Preakness Day on Saturday, May 21 will feature a 12 p.m. EDT first post.

Preferred parking will be available for fans in the Clubhouse Gold and Silver lots, which are accessible via Gate 5 off Hempstead Turnpike. Clubhouse Gold parking is $10 and Silver parking is $5 daily, outside of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Prepaid parking may be purchased in advance via Ticketmaster. Day-of parking sales will be credit card only, with no cash payments. Limited general parking will be available within the Emerald lot, accessible via the Cross Island Parkway, Exit 26D; and the Blue lot, accessible via Gate 5 from Hempstead Turnpike.

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will provide train service to and from Belmont Park every Saturday throughout Memorial Day weekend and on Father’s Day (June 19) during the spring/summer meet. The current schedule can be found at LIRR.com. LIRR will expand service to accommodate fans attending the 2022 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, with the schedule to be announced prior to the event.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit NYRA.com.