The 2026 Belmont Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at Saratoga Race Course.

This marks the third and final year the Triple Crown finale will run at Saratoga due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park, which is set to reopen in fall 2026. The race distance will be 1¼ miles (10 furlongs), shorter than the traditional 1½ miles to fit Saratoga's track configuration.

Quick Facts

  • Date : June 6, 2026 (a Saturday, aligning with the usual early June timing post-Kentucky Derby and Preakness).
  • Location : Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY (third consecutive year; returns to Belmont Park in 2027).
  • Distance : 1¼ miles (adapted for Saratoga's main track).
  • Event : 158th running, part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
  • Background : Announced by NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYRA to avoid construction disruptions.

Recent Context

The 2025 edition occurred on June 7 at Saratoga, won by Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado. This temporary shift began in 2024 amid a $455 million Belmont Park redevelopment, boosting Saratoga's summer racing scene. In 2027, expect the classic 1½-mile "Test of the Champion" back home.

Why Saratoga?

Saratoga's historic charm draws massive crowds, but its smaller track necessitates the distance tweak. NYRA prioritized full fan access over a limited-capacity Belmont event. It's been a win for tourism—Saratoga thrives with the influx.

TL;DR: Mark your calendar for June 6, 2026—Saratoga hosts Belmont Stakes one last time before its big return home.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.