Belmont to accept live fans beginning Kentucky Derby Day

Fans will be permitted back at Belmont Park beginning Saturday – Kentucky Derby Day – the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday afternoon.

In according with protocols established for other sports venues such as Yankee Stadium, Belmont will be able to permit up to 20 percent of seating capacity, which translates to approximately 7,000 fans. Beginning May 19, that percentage goes up to 33 percent, under guidance announced this week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Fans must purchase track admission in advance – there will be no walk-up admissions sold – and adhere to strict health and safety protocols, designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. That includes social distancing and providing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of attending the track or a negative antigen test collected within six hours of the event start time.

Quest Diagnostics will offer rapid testing on-site this weekend for a $30 fee per test, according to NYRA.

In addition, all ticketed spectators must complete a health questionnaire and submit to a contactless temperature check. The required health questionnaire will be e-mailed to ticketed spectators prior to the event date and must be completed within 12 hours of gates opening.

Daily admission to Belmont will be available for $15 and includes track admission, a reserved clubhouse seat, reserved parking, and a pocket program. Assigned seating is mandatory and groups will be physically separated within all seating areas to ensure social distancing.

All admissions must be purchased in advance at nyra.com/Belmont/tickets.

Mutuel windows will be open and during opening weekend, all ticketed fans will receive a Daily Racing Form free of charge.

NYRA will announce ticketing options for the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (June 3-5) in the near future.

“NYRA has been working collectively toward this goal since the start of the pandemic and we are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to Belmont Park,” NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke said in a press release. “We thank our fans for their loyalty and support over this challenging year and look forward to the spring and summer ahead.”