Published on: June 12, 2026, 07:12h.
Updated on: June 12, 2026, 07:12h.
- Final live racing event scheduled for June 28, 2026
- Iconic New York racetrack closing after 132 years of operation
- Belmont Park’s redevelopment prompts transition from Aqueduct racing
Aqueduct Racetrack, a significant part of New York City’s historic thoroughbred racing legacy, is approaching its final lap.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has announced that Aqueduct’s last live racing day will be Sunday, June 28, 2026, marking the end of a 132-year legacy for the Ozone Park, Queens venue affectionately nicknamed “the Big A.”
NYRA confirmed that live racing will conclude following the June 28 event; however, the facility will remain operational for simulcasting until Labor Day on September 7.
The Final Celebration at Big A
This closure is part of a strategic initiative to centralize downstate racing at Belmont Park on Long Island, which is undergoing a $455 million renovation to enable year-round operations. Once completed, Aqueduct’s winter racing activities will be permanently transferred to Belmont.
Belmont Park is poised to reopen on Friday, September 18, 2026, featuring a new five-story grandstand and enhanced amenities for fans.
The state has indicated that this transition will free up approximately 100 acres at the Aqueduct site for redevelopment, with plans for housing, retail spaces, community facilities, and public parks among the possibilities.
Named after the Ridgewood Aqueduct—a 12-mile masonry structure that historically transported water from Long Island to Brooklyn—the Aqueduct Racetrack opened its doors in Queens on September 27, 1894, making it one of the country’s oldest horse-racing venues. It has hosted numerous legendary racers, including Man o’ War, Secretariat, Cigar, and Easy Goer.
The racetrack underwent a complete reconstruction from 1955 to 1959 and served as a temporary host for the Belmont Stakes from 1963 to 1967 during Belmont Park’s renovations. In addition to its racing heritage, Aqueduct played a role during the COVID-19 pandemic as a mass vaccination center and welcomed Pope John Paul II in 1995, attracting 75,000 attendees.
NYRA has been the operator of racing at Aqueduct for many years, while ownership of the property has rested with New York State since the association’s bankruptcy restructuring in 2008.
Overshadowed by Casino Development
In 2010, Malaysian gaming giant Genting secured the rights to develop a casino at the racetrack after overcoming numerous failed bidding attempts and political hurdles.
The company inaugurated Resorts World New York City in October 2011, positioning it as a “racino” featuring video lottery terminals and electronic table games. This facility rapidly became one of the top-grossing gaming destinations in the United States, generating billions in revenue for New York State, even as the racetrack’s future remained uncertain.
In 2025, Resorts World obtained one of New York’s sought-after downstate casino licenses, and in April 2026, it introduced live dealer table games, transitioning the venue from a racino into New York City’s first full-scale casino.
The final weekend of racing on June 27 and 28 will be a ticketed farewell celebration, as per NYRA’s announcement. The organization anticipates high turnout and will implement capacity restrictions. Tickets are priced at $5 and include a commemorative program, with proceeds benefiting the NYRA Foundation.