Belmont Stakes 2026: Date, Top Contenders, Odds & How to Watch Live

The historic 158th running of the Belmont Stakes is set for Saturday, June 6, 2026, and, for the second straight year, the “Test of the Champion” will thunder down the stretch at Saratoga Race Course instead of its namesake oval on Long Island. New York Racing Association (NYRA) officials have confirmed that the entire Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will unfold in Saratoga Springs from Wednesday, June 3, through Sunday, June 7, anchoring the track’s spring-summer calendar with five days of Grade 1 action, concerts, and fan-friendly experiences. Why Saratoga? Belmont Park is undergoing a $455-million modernization, so the Triple Crown finale will once again tap the Spa’s intimate setting, historic grandstand, and iconic backyard to host upward of 50,000 fans. Organizers call 2026 “the last Belmont at Saratoga” before the race returns downstate, giving racing die-hards and first-timers a one-of-a-kind chance to witness history in the Adirondack foothills. Key details for racegoers 1. Tickets & hospitality: General-admission and premium hospitality packages are already on sale, with rooftop, clubhouse, and trackside suites moving quickly as demand outpaces 2025 numbers. 2. Festival schedule: Expect 14 graded stakes worth more than $10 million in purses, highlighted by the $2 million Belmont, the Acorn, Ogden Phipps, Jaipur, and Woody Stephens. Post-time for the Belmont is projected between 6 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. ET, pending TV windows. 3. Travel tips: Amtrak is adding special late-night service to New York City and Boston, while CDTA will extend shuttle hours from downtown Saratoga hotels to the track on Friday and Saturday. Parking on-site will be prepaid only; reserve spots early. Storylines to watch • Triple Crown drama: If a 2026 Kentucky Derby or Preakness winner arrives unbeaten, Saratoga’s deeper, 1½-mile surface could make or break a sweep attempt, echoing Sir Barton (1919) and Justify (2018). • Saratoga specialists: Trainers like Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown routinely dominate the meet; any 3-year-old with a prior win over the Spa’s sandy loam earns an instant handicapping bump. • Home-state hope: New York-bred juveniles sold for record prices at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton yearling sale, and several are pointing toward the Derby trail. A local-bred Belmont winner would energize the state’s breeding industry. What’s new in 2026 • Enhanced infield experience: NYRA will reopen portions of the infield for the first time since 2020, featuring jumbo-screen viewing, craft-beer gardens, and a kids’ zone. • Sustainability push: A solar array behind the Oklahoma Training Track now powers 40 percent of festival operations, part of Saratoga’s goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. • Tech upgrades: A dedicated 5G network promises faster wagering through the NYRA Bets app, and a pilot augmented-reality feed will overlay live fractions and horse biometrics on mobile screens. Early contenders While the official nominations close in April 2026, early chatter centers on: • Empire City: A son of Flightline who swept the Champagne and Remsen at two. • Deep Springs: Curlin colt undefeated around two turns for trainer Brad Cox. • Silver Crescent: The gray Tapit grandson targeting the Wood Memorial as his prep. Barn insiders caution that late-developing turf milers often pivot to the Belmont’s stamina test once Derby dreams fade, so expect surprises in the final entry box. How to watch and wager FOX Sports holds exclusive U.S. broadcast rights; international feeds will air via Sky Sports Racing and TVG. Advance wagering opens Friday, June 5, at noon ET online and at simulcast outlets nationwide. Fixed-odds markets will be available through select sportsbooks in Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, subject to regulatory approval. Bottom line With the Belmont Stakes poised for a swan song at Saratoga, 2026 promises a bucket-list blend of small-town charm, big-race electricity, and Triple Crown stakes. Whether you’re chasing handicapping glory, festival vibes, or a slice of racing history, circle June 3-7 on the calendar—because the next time the Belmont returns to the Spa may be decades away.