The Breeders’ Cup world championships will be returning to New York at Belmont Park in 2027 — the first time in 20 years that one of horse racing’s crown-jewel venues will host the event — Gov. Kathy Hochul, and members of the Breeders’ Cup and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced on Wednesday.
“The Breeders’ Cup and NYRA share a deep commitment to quality and distinction, making the new Belmont Park a prime venue to host the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” Breeders’ Cup president Drew Fleming said. “The return of the Breeders’ Cup to New York has been years in the making, and we thank Governor Hochul for supporting a new Belmont Park and a New York Breeders’ Cup. The reimagined Belmont Park will provide an exceptional stage for the world’s greatest racehorses and participants as we welcome contenders and fans from around the globe.”
Keeneland in Lexington, KY, will host the Breeders’ Cup next fall. The new Belmont Park will host the Breeders’ Cup on Oct. 29-30, 2027.
Belmont Park is best known for hosting the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, and has been a pillar of the sport since opening in 1905. It is currently undergoing a $455 million renovation that is expected to be completed in September 2026. The project is expected to generate $1 billion in construction-related economic impact and create 3,700 construction-related jobs.
Once the doors reopen, the new Belmont Park will generate an estimated $155 million in annual economic output and produce $10 million in new state and local tax revenue per year.
“The redevelopment of Belmont Park is bringing thousands of jobs and generating $1 billion of economic activity on Long Island,” Hochul said. “Thanks to the investments we are making at Belmont Park, the long-held dream of bringing the prestigious Breeders’ Cup back to New York will soon be a reality.”
Belmont had hosted the Breeders’ Cup four times in a 15-year span, with the last appearance coming 20 years ago in 2005 (1990, 1995, 2001). Since 2008, the event has been hosted in either Kentucky or California every year.
The Belmont Stakes has been hosted by Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York during the park’s renovations, which will feature a 300,000 square-foot, five-story building featuring modern amenities and hospitality offerings. A new infield will provide more green space for fans and the community.
“A new Belmont Park is taking shape on Long Island because of the leadership and vision of Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose support for horse racing and understanding of its positive economic impact have paved the way for the return of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to New York in 2027,” NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke said. “New York’s racing fans and participants have longed to host this event since it was last held at Belmont in 2005, and we thank the Breeders’ Cup for making that a reality.”
