NYRA sets ticketing plans for new Belmont Park

The New York Racing Association announced ticketing and admission plans for the upcoming fall meet at the new Belmont Park, which will offer traditional general admission, various season pass options and flexible reserved grandstand seating.

After a three-year project to transform Belmont Park, NYRA will celebrate a new era on Friday, Sept. 18, with a live racing program anchored by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup. In July, the connections of globetrotting superstar Forever Young announced that the Japanese and American champion will be coming to New York to compete in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, which is a win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“Whether seeking an affordable day at the races, a flexible option for multiple visits or a premium experience, we’ve created a variety of admission and seating choices at different price points to fit the needs of our fans," said Kevin Quinn, NYRA vice president of sales and hospitality.

A limited number of general-admission tickets for the Sept. 18 program will be made available for purchase beginning this Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT via NewBelmont.com. Admission will be $50 and includes complimentary food and beverage options and a commemorative program. Proceeds from all Sept. 18 ticket sales will be dedicated to the NYRA Foundation, a philanthropic effort designed to raise funding and awareness for the work of nonprofits, service providers, Thoroughbred aftercare groups and charitable organizations connected to horse racing in New York State.

General admission on Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20, will be $10 and includes a commemorative program.

Beginning Friday, Sept. 25, general-admission pricing will mirror that at Saratoga, with tickets available for $7 in advance and $10 on the day of the event, including a complimentary program.

Due to ongoing construction and current facility constraints, Belmont Park will operate with a capacity of 6,000 during opening weekend, Sept. 18-20, and 4,000 beginning Sept. 25. Facility capacity will be increased as additional portions of the building open.

During the fall meet, general admission will provide fans with access to:

• Grandstand seats on most days (excluding Sept. 18-20; Sept. 26; Oct 3, 24, 31).
• First floor of the grandstand.
• Outdoor areas including the backyard, paddock viewing areas and apron.

In addition to general admission, fans can select from various season pass plans to lock in savings:

• Fall meet pass ($185): Provides admission to 45 race days at the equivalent of about $4 per day.
• Fall weekender pass ($99): Includes admission for 24 weekend days, covering every Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 19 through Dec. 6, representing a similar savings as the fall meet pass.
• Superfecta flex pass ($20): Includes four self-selected race days that may be redeemed at any time during the fall meet.

For fans seeking an upgraded experience, reserved trackside grandstand seating will be available for $50 per day on six high-demand dates: Sept. 19, 20 and 26; Oct. 3, 24 and 31. Reserved grandstand seating will include a $25 loaded food and beverage credit for use that day.

Full-season packages, premium hospitality spaces and additional group savings plans for the fall meet are available at NewBelmont.com/Tickets. Fans can preview sightlines and explore the premium hospitality spaces with the new Belmont Park Virtual Venue tool.

Until the full completion of floors 3-5, which is expected in the first quarter of 2027, the first two floors of the grandstand will be open during the fall meet. The return to racing at Belmont Park will feature the debut of bars and concession areas along with premium dining and hospitality areas.

The consolidation of NYRA’s downstate racing operations at Belmont will usher in an expanded fall meet featuring 32 graded events among 72 stakes races worth $17.7 million in total purses. Highlighted by a series of major Saturday race days beginning in September and continuing through Cigar Mile day, the fall meet will conclude on Dec. 6.

NYRA has organized the first half of the fall meet around two consecutive blockbuster Saturdays, Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, to include 10 graded stakes with six Breeders’ Cup win-and-you’re-in chances on the line.

Admission gates will open daily at 11 a.m. unless otherwise indicated. First post on Friday, Sept. 18, is 1:30 p.m.; Saturdays will feature a first post of 12:05 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Sundays will feature a 1:10 p.m. first post.

Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase admission and parking in advance of their arrival at Belmont Park.