Timeline set out for Belmont Park redevelopment

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a project timeline for the construction of new thoroughbred racing facilities at Belmont Park.

Expected to be completed in Q3 of 2026, the multi-year project to build a new Belmont Park, the Nassau County home of the Belmont Stakes, will generate $1 billion in construction-related economic impact and create 3,700 construction-related jobs.

Following the return of thoroughbred racing to Belmont in 2026, additional racing and non-racing activities at the new facility will generate $155 million in annual economic output and produce $10 million in new state and local tax revenue per year.

Governor Hochul said:

“The redevelopment of Belmont Park is a critical investment in one of New York’s most historic sporting venues. The new facility will support year-round racing, thousands of new jobs for Long Islanders and provide an enhanced experience for customers attending the iconic Belmont Stakes for generations to come.”

Populous design

Populous is the lead designer of the project, bringing to life the vision of both Belmont and the New York Racing Association.

The design for the new Belmont Park — inspired by a ribbon, the traditional symbol of victory — is an intentional departure from the current Belmont style.

It introduces greater transparency and reduces the scale of the building, so it is right-sized for current needs and trends.

Over 275,000 square feet of elegant, state-of-the-art infrastructure will seat approximately 7,500 guests and feature a variety of club and dining spaces, food and beverage outlets, private suites and indoor/outdoor experiences.

The new building is five levels above ground with an outdoor terrace at level 5, providing sweeping views of the site and its surroundings under the graceful canopy that tops the building.

The new Belmont Park will enhance a venue beloved by the community, building on nearly a century of racing tradition while representing a new day in American racing.

Meg McWilliam, principal and lead designer, Populous, said:

“Belmont Park has always been an iconic venue where people gather together, and its storied past is rich with trendsetting racing innovation. Working alongside NYRA, Populous is well suited to help deliver their vision for the new Belmont Park, respecting the heritage of the venue while reinventing a world-class experience that is approachable, dynamic and unexpected.”

Modern amenities

In 2023, Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget included a proposal for NYRA to modernise Belmont Park, and the FY2024 Enacted Budget granted that approval providing NYRA with a $455 million loan to build a world-class sports and entertainment destination in Elmont, New York.

NYRA is committed to construct a building that properly reflects the evolution of thoroughbred racing and wagering since Belmont was last renovated in the 1960s. Accordingly, NYRA will replace the existing 1.25 million sq foot structure with a roughly 275,000 sq ft building featuring the modern amenities and hospitality offerings sports fans now expect.

The demolition of the current Belmont Park grandstand/clubhouse is expected to begin in March and continue through early July.

The new building will begin to take shape in early 2025 with the installation of structural concrete. The remaining elements of the building including the exterior façade, roof and sweeping canopy will be added throughout 2025.

As previously announced, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held at Saratoga Race Course for the first time in its 156 year history.

The venue change will allow for uninterrupted construction of the new Belmont Park.

NYRA has developed a project plan that will allow for the Belmont Stakes to return to Belmont Park in June of 2026 prior to the full opening of the new building, which is scheduled for September of 2026.

Although a venue for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships has yet to be determined, the new Belmont Park will be complete and ready to host the 2026 Breeders’ Cup should the opportunity arise. The Breeders’ Cup has announced its commitment to add Belmont to the rotation of host venues following NYRA’s modernization of the facility.

Beyond the fan-facing improvements to Belmont, NYRA is committed to expanding its ongoing campaign to modernize the Belmont barn area and backstretch by building three new dormitories by 2026.

NYRA will also make further investments to improve the quality of life in the backstretch community, including:

• Improvements to the on-site medical facility
• Installing a modern Blue Light security system
• Upgrading the Recreation Hall and Track Kitchen facilities
• Renovating the on-site Gymnasium
• Implementing new flood mitigation strategies
• Ensuring access to reliable Wi-Fi
• Replacing fencing throughout the backstretch
• Improving multi-modal travel through constructing bicycle storage sheds
• Assess the feasibility of subsidized assistant trainer efficiency apartments

The new Belmont grandstand will dramatically increase the amount of unstructured green space available to fans by reducing the overall footprint of the building.

And because of the vehicular and pedestrian tunnels providing access to the 45-acre Belmont infield for the first time, the new Belmont Park will provide fans and the surrounding community with more open space than ever before.

As the first ground-up racetrack construction to occur in the United States in nearly 40 years, the new Belmont Park will reflect the continued success of thoroughbred racing in New York State while reinforcing the property’s status as an internationally recognized capital of horse racing.

While the new Belmont Park will have the same 50,000-person capacity as the existing venue, the layout of seats, suites, and standing spaces has been adjusted to accommodate flexible seasonal attendance.

The addition of a winterized building paired with new racing surfaces and a synthetic track will result in a facility suitable to host thoroughbred racing on a year-round basis.

As required by the 2024 Enacted Budget, NYRA will consolidate all downstate racing and training activities at the new Belmont Park to unlock 110 acres of New York State-owned land at Aqueduct Racetrack for development opportunities.

State Senator Leroy Comrie said:

“The redevelopment and rejuvenation of Belmont Park will bring tangible economic development to the community, with good union jobs and opportunities for local businesses. I applaud Governor Hochul, my partners in the legislature and the entire Belmont Park community for working together to move this important project forward.”

NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke added:

“The transformation of Belmont Park will secure the future of thoroughbred racing in New York State, create thousands of jobs and drive tourism to Long Island and the region for decades to come. NYRA is committed to building a world-class destination that will set the global standard for a racing facility, and we thank Governor Hochul for the opportunity to completely re-imagine Belmont.”

NYRA Board of Directors Chair Marc Holliday said:

“The new Belmont Park will be a thoroughly modern racing and entertainment facility that will take its place on the global stage among iconic venues like Ascot, Longchamp and The Curragh. It is an honor to design and develop a venue that will appeal to racing enthusiasts and attract a new generation of fans. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, the new Belmont Park will be immediately recognizable as a New York landmark and symbol of the enduring appeal of top-quality thoroughbred racing.”

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