| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Address | Erie County Fairgrounds, Hamburg, NY (Hamburg Gaming: 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY) |
| Operator | Erie County Agricultural Society (Buffalo Trotting Association); gaming run by Delaware North |
| Racing | Harness (standardbred) |
| 2026 season | March 4–July 19 |
| Casino | Hamburg Gaming: about 940 video gaming machines; no sportsbook |
| Getting there | By car, south of Buffalo in Hamburg |
The 2026 Buffalo meet: March 4 to July 19
Buffalo Raceway opened its 2026 season on Wednesday, March 4, with a 12-race card, and closed on Sunday, July 19. That closing card was the only Sunday of the meet.
The pattern:
- March: Wednesdays and Saturdays
- From April 3: Friday afternoon programs added
- Post time: 2:30 p.m. all season
The track pays more than $100,000 a day in overnight purses, according to Buffalo Raceway.
The simulcast center reopened on Jan. 31, 2026, before live racing returned, taking bets Wednesday through Sunday on tracks across North America.
Harness racing at the Erie County Fairgrounds since 1942
Buffalo Raceway opened at the Erie County Fairgrounds in June 1942. The Erie County Agricultural Society, which runs the fairgrounds and the Erie County Fair, owns the track and the gaming floor through its Buffalo Trotting Association subsidiary.
Horsemen can pick up Buffalo stall applications at the race office of either Buffalo Raceway or Batavia Downs, and the two Western New York meets slot together: Buffalo races spring into summer, and Batavia Downs takes over in late July.
Hamburg Gaming: 940 machines beside the Buffalo oval
Hamburg Gaming is a video lottery facility licensed by the NY State Gaming Commission. Delaware North has run it since it opened in 2004. The floor has about 940 gaming machines, plus an outdoor gaming patio added in 2019.
There are no live table games and no sportsbook. In New York, retail sports betting is limited to commercial and tribal casinos. Buffalo’s is Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, run by the Seneca Nation.
Where Buffalo fits in New York’s harness calendar
The U.S. Trotting Association lists eight harness tracks in New York. Buffalo’s job is to fill the first half of the Western New York racing year:
| Track | 2026 live racing |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Raceway | March 4–July 19, afternoons |
| Batavia Downs | July 22 into December, mostly 5 p.m. |
| Saratoga Harness | Feb. 1 to mid-December |
| Yonkers Raceway | Year-round, weeknights at 6:45 p.m. |
If you want live harness racing in the Buffalo area after mid-July, Batavia Downs, east along the Thruway in Genesee County, picks up three days later.
Finding the track in Hamburg, south of Buffalo
The raceway and Hamburg Gaming share the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, south of Buffalo in Erie County. Most visitors drive.
Wagering on Buffalo Raceway through an ADW app
You can bet Buffalo from home through a licensed advance deposit wagering app. TVG, TwinSpires, DK Horse, Xpressbet and AmWager take New York customers, according to the NY State Gaming Commission. Harness coverage varies, so check each app’s track list first.
Our online horse betting guide compares the legal apps. For sports, the best NY sportsbooks all work statewide, including in Hamburg.
Buffalo Raceway FAQ
When does Buffalo Raceway race?
The 2026 meet ran from March 4 to July 19, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with Fridays added from April 3. First post was 2:30 p.m.
Where is Buffalo Raceway?
At the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY, south of Buffalo.
Is there a casino at Buffalo Raceway?
Yes. Hamburg Gaming at the Fairgrounds has about 940 video gaming machines plus an outdoor patio. It has no live table games.
Who owns Buffalo Raceway?
The Erie County Agricultural Society, through its Buffalo Trotting Association subsidiary. Delaware North operates Hamburg Gaming.
Can I bet on Buffalo Raceway online?
Yes, through New York-licensed ADW apps that carry the track. Check the track list in each app.
See every track and casino in our New York venues guide.
Gambling problem? Call or text 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369).