Thursday, October 1, 2026
Belmont Park has long been a fixture in Elmont, and big changes are on the horizon. As construction continues the historic racetrack, the return of the Belmont Stakes and new opportunities for local students are helping shape the next chapter for one of New York's most recognizable sporting venues.
Belmont Park is being rebuilt from the ground up
Belmont Park is undergoing its biggest transformation in more than 50 years. The longtime grandstand has been replaced with a smaller, modern building that will offer updated seating, restaurants and gathering spaces for fans. The redesign is intended to create a more intimate atmosphere while preserving the track's history as one of horse racing's most recognizable venues. Construction is expected to wrap up before racing returns, giving Elmont a refreshed landmark that blends tradition with a new look and creates a year-round destination for visitors.
The Belmont Stakes will return to Elmont in 2027
After spending three years at Saratoga Race Course during construction, the Belmont Stakes is set to return to its longtime home in Elmont in 2027. The temporary move allowed work on the new Belmont Park to continue without interrupting the Triple Crown schedule. When the race returns, it will once again be run at its traditional mile-and-a-half distance, bringing one of horse racing's biggest events back to Nassau County. Belmont Park is also slated to host the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships, marking the event's first return to New York since 2005.
Belmont Stakes scholarships support local students
The New York Racing Association has launched the Belmont Stakes Scholarships, a new program that will award five $3,000 scholarships each year to graduating seniors in the Sewanhaka Central High School District. Students from Elmont Memorial, H. Frank Carey, Sewanhaka, Floral Park Memorial and New Hyde Park Memorial high schools who plan to attend a two- or four-year college, university or trade school are eligible to apply. The scholarships build on NYRA's Leg Up! program, which introduces students to careers in horse racing, hospitality, marketing, equine care and other industries connected to Belmont Park.
