Check Out the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival: Stakes Schedule
The 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will bring five days of world-class thoroughbred racing to Saratoga Race Course as the Belmont Stakes returns to the Spa for its third and final year. Running Wednesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 7, the festival builds toward the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
In addition to the Belmont Stakes, the festival will feature a full slate of high-profile stakes races and special events, creating one of the most anticipated weeks of the racing season in Saratoga Springs.
Quick-Reference Daily Track Schedule
- Wednesday, June 3: Gates open at 11:00 AM | First Post Time: 12:35 PM | Final Post: 5:48 PM
- Thursday, June 4: Gates open at 11:00 AM | First Post Time: 12:35 PM | Final Post: 6:16 PM
- Friday, June 5: Gates open at 10:00 AM | First Post Time: 11:45 AM | Final Post: 7:43 PM
- Saturday, June 6 (Belmont Stakes Day): Gates open at 9:00 AM | First Post Time: 11:00 AM | Final Post: 8:02 PM (The 158th running of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes goes off at 7:04 PM ET).
- Sunday, June 7: Gates open at 11:00 AM | First Post Time: 12:35 PM | Final Post: 5:47 PM
Please note: There is no early-morning backstretch access to the grounds for workouts, and a strict no re-entry policy is enforced once your ticket has been scanned for the day.
Daily Racing & Stakes Schedule
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
- Beverly R. Steinman Memorial | G1 | $150,000 | 4&UP | 2 3/8 Miles | Turf (Hurdles)
- Mike Lee (NYB) | Ungraded | $200,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs | Dirt
- Bouwerie (NYB) | Ungraded | $200,000 | F3YO | 7 Furlongs | Dirt
- Critical Eye (NYB) | Ungraded | $200,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt
- Mount Vernon (NYB) | Ungraded | $200,000 | F&M 3&UP | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf
- Commentator (NYB) | Ungraded | $200,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt
- Kingston (NYB) | Ungraded | $200,000 | 3&UP | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf
Thursday, June 4, 2026
- Belmont Gold Cup | G2 | $250,000 | 4&UP | 2 Miles | Turf
- Intercontinental | G2 | $250,000 | F&M 4&UP | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf
- Pennine Ridge | G3 | $300,000 | 3YO | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf
- Jersey Girl | Ungraded | $175,000 | F3YO | 6 Furlongs | Dirt
Friday, June 5, 2026
- New York | G1 | $750,000 | F&M 4&UP | 1 3/16 Miles | Turf
- DraftKings Acorn | G1 | $500,000 | F3YO | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt
- Ogden Phipps pres. by Ford | G1 | $500,000 | F&M 4&UP | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt
- Bed o' Roses pres. by Boldyn Networks | G2 | $300,000 | F&M 4&UP | 7 Furlongs | Dirt
- Wonder Again pres. by Shift4 | G2 | $300,000 | F3YO | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf
Saturday, June 6, 2026
- Belmont Stakes pres. by NYRA Bets | G1 | $2,000,000 | 3YO | 1 1/4 Miles | Dirt
- Resorts World Casino Manhattan | G1 | $1,000,000 | 4&UP | 1 3/16 Miles | Turf
- Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap | G1 | BC | $1,000,000 | 3&UP | 1 Mile | Dirt
- Woody Stephens pres. by Mohegan Sun | G1 | $500,000 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs | Dirt
- Just A Game pres. by Resolute Racing | G1 | $500,000 | F&M 4&UP | 1 Mile | Turf
- Jaipur | G1 | |BC | $500,000 | 3&UP | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf
- True North | G3 | $400,000 | 4&UP | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- Poker | G3 | $300,000 | 4&UP | 1 Mile | Turf
- Soaring Softly | G3 | $200,000 | F3YO | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf
Ticket Pricing & GA Details
General Admission (GA) ticket costs vary across single-day admissions, and children 12 and under are admitted for free every day except Saturday:
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday GA: $10 per person
- Friday GA: $30 per person
- Saturday GA (Belmont Stakes Day): Tickets start at $75 (Admission for children ages 4–12 is $20).
- 5-Day Admission Bundle: For entry to the entire festival, you can purchase a 5-day admission plan for $120, saving $15 over buying individual single-day tickets.
GA tickets provide standing-room access to the trackside apron and backyard picnic tables on a first-come, first-served basis. If you prefer dedicated seats or all-inclusive hospitality, a variety of reserved options, trackside dining tables, premium climate-controlled suites, and official VIP ticket packages are also available.
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