| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Address | 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 |
| Operator | New York Racing Association (NYRA) |
| Racing | Thoroughbred, summer meet |
| 2026 season | July 3–Sept. 7 (46 scheduled days); Belmont Stakes Festival June 3–7 |
| Casino | None at the track; Saratoga Casino Hotel is in town |
| Getting there | I-87 (Northway) Exit 14 to Union Ave; Amtrak to Saratoga Springs |
Saratoga 2026 by the numbers: a million fans, $1.1 billion bet
NYRA closed the 2026 summer meet on Labor Day, Sept. 7, with 1,045,373 paid admissions and $905,425,541 in all-sources handle. Add the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in June and the Spa took $1,105,339,004 in bets over 50 days, according to NYRA.
The meet was scheduled for 46 days. Rain wiped out Wednesday, July 29, so 45 were run.
Manny Franco was leading rider, Chad Brown leading trainer and Klaravich Stables leading owner. Todd Pletcher won his 6,000th North American race on Whitney Day.
Travers, Whitney, Belmont: Saratoga’s 2026 big races
- Belmont Stakes (June 6): the third and final Belmont at Saratoga, run at 1¼ miles. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo won for José Ortiz and trainer Cherie DeVaux.
- Whitney (Aug. 8, Grade 1, $1 million): Sovereignty won and earned a Breeders’ Cup Classic berth. Whitney Day handle hit $46.9 million, the second highest on record.
- Jim Dandy (Aug. 1): the main Travers prep.
- Travers (Aug. 29, Grade 1, $1.25 million): Leading Change won for Brad Cox and Franco in front of 47,659. Travers Day handle was $60,863,320, second only to the record.
Next summer at the Spa: 40 days, and no Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes moves back to the rebuilt Belmont Park on June 5, 2027. Under NYRA’s two-year deal with horsemen and breeders, Saratoga returns to a traditional 40-day summer meet in 2027, down from 46 in 2026. NYRA hasn’t published the 2027 dates yet.
In 2026 the meet ran four-day weeks (Thursday to Sunday) in July, five-day weeks from July 29 and a six-day closing week through Labor Day. Mondays and Tuesdays were dark outside that final week.
Tickets for $7, and where to park free
General admission is $7 in advance or $10 at the gate, according to Spectrum News. Digital season passes started at $94 in 2026. Reserved seats, group areas and premium spaces are sold through NYRA’s Saratoga site.
- Free parking: the lot by the Oklahoma Training Track, with a shuttle to Gate A on Union Avenue.
- Paid parking: the East, Madison and Rec Hall lots and the Silver trackside lots on Union Avenue can be reserved.
On Travers Day 2026 the gates opened at 9 a.m. for an 11:05 a.m. first post.
I-87 Exit 14 or Amtrak: getting to the track
By car, take I-87 (the Northway) to Exit 14, which puts you on Union Avenue, and follow it to the track. Amtrak stops at Saratoga Springs station, and from there it’s a cab or rideshare to the gates.
Betting Saratoga races from your phone
There’s no casino or sportsbook at the track itself. To bet Saratoga from your couch, you need a licensed ADW app.
NYRA’s own app is the obvious fit: read our NYRA Bets review for rebates and video. TVG, TwinSpires, DK Horse and Xpressbet also accept New York customers, according to the NY State Gaming Commission. Compare them in our New York horse betting guide.
Want slots on a race night? Saratoga Casino Hotel runs harness racing and video gaming in Saratoga Springs year-round.
Saratoga Race Course FAQ
When does Saratoga open in 2027?
NYRA hasn’t released the 2027 calendar yet. What’s confirmed: the meet returns to 40 days, and the Belmont Stakes moves back to Belmont Park.
Is admission to Saratoga free?
No. General admission was $7 in advance and $10 at the gate in 2026. Parking in the Oklahoma lot is free.
Who won the 2026 Travers Stakes?
Leading Change, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Manny Franco, on Aug. 29, 2026.
Can I bet on Saratoga races online in New York?
Yes, through licensed ADWs such as NYRA Bets, TVG, TwinSpires, DK Horse and Xpressbet.
Is the Belmont Stakes still at Saratoga?
No. 2026 was the last of three years at Saratoga. The 2027 Belmont Stakes is at Belmont Park on June 5.
See every track and casino in our New York venues guide, and check out the rebuilt Belmont Park.
Gambling problem? Call or text 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369).