Updated fan policies for 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

A comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items can be found at Belmont Stakes Policies.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced updated protocols to further enhance fan safety and security while supporting the longstanding cooler policy tradition at historic Saratoga Race Course.

Fans bringing coolers to Saratoga Race Course will be required to ensure all ice is contained inside sealed bags upon arrival at the admission gates.

The policy will take effect with the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, June 3-7, and will continue during the Saratoga summer meet, July 3 – September 7.

The initiative is geared to facilitate the effective and efficient screening of coolers at designated inspection lanes, which will be established at Gate B (Union and East Avenue) and Gate C (Nelson Avenue). All fans with coolers should enter through either Gate B or Gate C.

During the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, fans are permitted to bring alcoholic beverages on Wednesday, June 3, and Sunday, June 7.

Consistent with prior years, fans will be permitted non-alcoholic beverages and food within personal-sized coolers measuring 12”x18” on Thursday, June 4; Friday, June 5; and Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 6.

The 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be the third and final edition at Saratoga Race Course before the event returns to its permanent home at a newly constructed and reimagined Belmont Park on Long Island in 2027.

Fans should note the following information pertaining to the Belmont Stakes Festival.

Admission gates: Open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Open at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 5, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, Belmont Stakes Day. Re-entry is not permitted during the event.

Parking gates: Open one hour prior to admission gates on each day of the event.

Post Times: First post on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday is 12:35 p.m. First post on Friday is 11:45 a.m. First post on Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 6, is 11 a.m.

Morning Training: Open to fans at the Oklahoma track from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday via Gate 21 on East Avenue (pedestrians only; vehicles not permitted).

Main Track: No morning access prior to the opening of admission gates.

Payment options: NYRA provides convenient access to reverse ATMs for fans who choose to pay in cash for purchases of food and beverages, admission, parking, or programs during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Credit and debit cards are welcome at all on-track locations.

Personal items: Fans may bring one folding chair for personal use in the backyard. Pop-up tents, folding tables, and wagons are allowed on Wednesday and Sunday only.

Cameras and video recorders: Professional photography and/or videography equipment is prohibited.

A comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items can be found at Belmont Stakes Policies.

Tickets: General Admission is $10 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Admission is $30 on Friday, June 5. Admission is $75 on Belmont Stakes Day and will be available At the Gate or online at BelmontStakes.com.

Admission for children ages 4-12 is $20 on Belmont Stakes Day; children are free on all other days.

An exclusive 3-day general admission pass, valid for Thursday-Saturday, is available for $99 at Stewart’s Shops. An All-Festival general admission pass is available for $120 at BelmontStakes.com.

The NYRA Box Office, located at Gate A, will be open daily, beginning Monday, June 1, from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. for the duration of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Hours may vary depending on daily racing schedules.

For more information about the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, visit BelmontStakes.com.