It’s Belmont Weekend in Saratoga; What to Know Before You Go!

If you're a guest from out of town, welcome to the Capital Region - we think you'll love it here! If you're from the Capital Region, this will feel like a home game, so settle in and win BIG!

Unfortunately, we can't help you choose which horses to wager on, but this survival guide to all things Belmont Stakes in Saratoga should be handy!

Capital Region residents, specifically those in Saratoga County, are used to the influx of people seen throughout their hometown during summer. On any given day, tens of thousands will convene on the Spa City morning, noon, and night while the race course and SPAC are in peak season.

Early Summer Preview

Residents will get an early summer preview this weekend when the Belmont Stakes comes to town for a four-day soiree of gaming, racing, shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Whether you're from out of town or an Upstate NY native, there are subtle changes now that the Belmont Stakes are in town for four glorious days of racing.  From when you can arrive and what you can bring in, from how to dress or place a wager and everything in between, you may find the following list of "Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know" quite helpful.

How Do I Get Inside the Race Course?

There will be three admission entrances to get to the track. Gates A and B are accessible via Union Avenue, and Gate C is accessible via Nelson Avenue. Refer to this Grounds Map for more details.

What Time does Gates Open?

• Thursday, June 6: 11:00 am
• Friday, June 7: 10:30 am
• Saturday, June 8 (Belmont Stakes Day): 9:00 am
• Sunday, June 9: 11:00 am
• The gates will open for early morning access at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday and Sunday to watch training, and the grounds will be cleared at 10:00 a.m. There will be no early morning access on Friday or Saturday of the festival weekend.
• Backyard picnic tables will be available free of charge to ticketholders on a first-come, first-served basis. As stated above, fans can access the backyard to secure a picnic table at the earliest gate open time each day.
• After the official gate open time, no re-entry is permitted throughout the four-day festival.

Tickets for the Belmont

• Have your tickets ready as you approach security. You can sign in to your Ticketmaster account or NYRA Account Manager on a mobile device, depending on your purchase method.
• Once tickets are displayed on your phone, it is recommended that you save them to your phone’s mobile wallet for easy access on event day.
• 2024 Saratoga season passes do not include admission to race days during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

What Items Can and Can't Be Brought In?

• Please be aware of our permitted and banned items. Coolers that are larger than 12" x 18" are not allowed.
• While outside food and non-alcoholic beverages will be permitted, outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all areas during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
• One folding chair is allowed per guest, but pop-up tents, folding tables, and wagons are not permitted inside the gates.
• Banned items include, but are not limited to, air horns, weapons, confetti, fireworks, and illegal drugs or substances. The Security Page has a complete list of permitted and banned items.

The Belmont is Cashless

• The 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be cashless for many purchases, including food & beverage service, admissions, and parking. Credit and debit cards will be accepted for purchases.
• Reverse ATMs, which convert cash into a debit card for purchases, are located throughout the venue. Consult the Grounds Map to view locations.
• If you plan on placing wagers on the track, you may still want to carry cash on race day—read more below.

How To Bet

Betting and horse racing go hand in hand, and getting involved doesn't have to break the bank! You can make basic wagers for as little as $1 per race.

If you plan on playing the races, you may want to bring cash, depending on your method of wagering. Learn more about your options by visiting the Belmont Stakes How To Bet page.

What Should I Wear?

Fashion is a big deal in Saratoga Springs, and Belmont Stakes attire is as important to some as picking winners. So feel comfortable pulling out all the stops fashion-wise or keeping it cool and casual; either way, do what feels right.

For style tips and inspiration, visit their What To Wear page.