NYRA announces 2026 racing schedule with Belmont Park's reopening and increased purses, pending state approval.

NYRA has unveiled its 2026 racing schedule, featuring 196 live race days across Aqueduct, Saratoga, and the reimagined Belmont Park, set to reopen in fall 2026 with a Tapeta surface. Saratoga will host a 51-day meet, including the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and a 46-day summer meet without gaps, while Aqueduct’s winter and spring meets are set for January–March and April–June. Purse increases for New York-bred races will begin in September 2026. The rebuilt Belmont Park will host the Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup in 2027. The schedule awaits final approval from the New York State Gaming Commission.