The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are returning to New York in 2027 at the rebuilt Belmont Park, following a massive renovation project to revitalise one of the most important horse racing tracks in the country.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, along with officials from the Breeders’ Cup and the New York Racing Association (NYRA), announced Wednesday that the track on the edge of Queens and Nassau County on Long Island will stage the event in the fall two years from now.

“We wrote the governor of New York a letter in 2023 that simply said, ‘If you build it, we will come’,” Breeders’ Cup Limited President and CEO Drew Fleming said in a phone interview with The Associated Press (AP).

“And so we’re very honored to keep our word and have a wonderful Breeders’ Cup World Championships here in 2027 to showcase the new development and investment in Belmont Park to our fans from across the globe.”

Keeneland in Lexington was revealed as the 2026 host.

Belmont Park was last home to the Breeders’ Cup in 2005, the fourth time in two decades after also being there in 1990, ‘95 and 2001. A goal of the $455-million teardown and reconstruction was to attract the major event.

“It was always part of the plan: We weren’t going to redevelop Belmont Park without Breeders’ Cup in mind, so it was always part of the initial goals,” NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke told the
AP by phone.

“Getting the championships back to New York is big from an economic point of view, and probably one of the most important [things], if not the most important, it gives our trainers and horsemen a chance to compete on their home tracks. I think it’s great. It’s been over 20 years.”

Hochul, in a statement, said the redevelopment is bringing thousands of jobs and $1 billion in long-term economic activity to Long Island.

“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,” Hochul said.