Belmont Park racetrack has reopened and is now part of a larger entertainment complex with UBS Arena, home to the New York Islanders hockey team. The park aims to host outdoor events such as potential hockey games on its infield. Kelly Cheeseman from the Islanders mentions that both organizations are exploring possibilities like music festivals and other public gatherings in the expanded space. David O’Rourke, CEO of NYRA, highlights improvements at Belmont Park including a larger paddock area for closer interactions with horses and the potential to host small performances there. The article also notes changes made inside UBS Arena, such as new lighting effects and an additional 90 seats, aimed at enhancing fan experience and attracting younger audiences.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Belmont Park, recently renovated and reopened, is transforming into a hub for entertainment alongside UBS Arena, home to the NHL's Islanders. The property aims to host events like an outdoor hockey game on its spacious infield. This initiative aligns with discussions by the NHL about playing such games outdoors. Already, fans wearing Islanders jerseys are attending races and then heading a short distance for hockey matches, highlighting the seamless integration of the two venues. With Belmont Park expanding to accommodate up to 50,000 spectators for events like the upcoming June Belmont Stakes, it is attracting new audiences who appreciate its inviting atmosphere compared to the old concrete grandstand. The collaboration between NYRA and the Islanders aims to turn these adjacent properties into a cohesive entertainment complex.
Written for “Belmont Park Renovation” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
It’s been a massive few weeks in Nassau with the reopening of Belmont Park racetrack galloping in a new day for the Islanders’ home at adjacent UBS Arena, as collaborative ideas are turning the connected properties into a true entertainment complex — most notably in the hopes of an outdoor hockey game on the spacious infield.
asserted
ideas → gallop → infield
“The NHL has talked about it as well,” Isles director of business operations Kelly Cheeseman told The Post.
asserted
Cheeseman → talk → Post
“I think we’d love to see that.”
asserted
we → think → that
The recently opened track, which will be fully operational months before June’s Belmont Stakes and can expand to 50,000 for the big race, is already luring hockey fans as a far cry from the old, bulky concrete grandstand.
asserted
which → open → grandstand
Several folks wearing Islanders jerseys paid a modest $10 for general admission to see afternoon races before trotting a few steps away for the hockey team’s 6-0 dominant home-opener win over the Devils Saturday night.
asserted
folks → wear → Devils
The expansive park grounds have an inviting and open feel for impromptu race spectators attending a later-on event at the arena that opened in 2021.
“It’s really a campus now,” NYRA CEO David O’Rourke told The Post ahead of the opening.
asserted
O’Rourke → have → opening
He believes one of the biggest draws for newcomers and devout racegoers alike is the spaciously redesigned paddock for nose-to-nose interactions with the fleet equines.
asserted
one → believe → equines
“I think [the track] has something for everyone at this point.”
asserted
track → think → point
Cheeseman wants to see the acres of soon-to-be fan-accessible infield and surrounding grandstands also used for music, food and wine festivals — another game changer unique to the area.
asserted
acres → want → area
O’Rourke feels the horses paddock — now twice as large as the old Belmont — also doubles “as a mini amphitheater.”
asserted
paddock → feel → amphitheater
“If you had a more quaint type of performance, you could do it right in the paddock.”
uncertain
you → have → paddock
The track’s new footprint made the Islanders shift several of the team’s free, fan-beloved outdoor game-day attractions like shooting pucks at full-size nets with former players’ sticks, corn hole, fire pits, bounce castles and stage to a condensed space near UBS’s Amex entrance.
asserted
Islanders → make → entrance
Aside from the smaller space, the only significant difference is that the zone is no longer BYOB-friendly, as a $5 beer garden has been installed.
asserted
garden → instal → space
There’s another new green space is inside UBS Arena, which will host the NHL All-Star Game this February.
asserted
which → ’ → Game
“We’re trying to really represent the culture of Long Island – golf is obviously one of those,” Cheeseman added.
asserted
Cheeseman → try → those
Cheeseman said this year has placed a major emphasis on “fun and creativity,” especially to appeal to younger fans drawn in by an exciting class of youth talent already shining on the ice.
asserted
year → say → ice
“Our young players like Matthew [Schaefer] and [Victor] Eklund, I think, speak well to the younger generation.”
asserted
I → think → generation
The arena even introduced a kid-friendly frankenfood for the new season — a brie grilled cheese with gummy Nerds clusters melted that went viral quicker than a Schaefer wrist shot.
asserted
that → introduce → shot
More family-friendly action is planned for blue and orange fans across Hempstead Turnpike at the connected Belmont Park Village shops, including a fall maze and other fun Halloween haunts later in October.
asserted
action → plan → October
The luxury retail district has also been coming into its own since August, with a major leap in eight new openings like G-Star, Kiton and Monica Vinader.
asserted
district → come → Star
Another 12, including Kate Middleton-worn Reiss and Boss, are slated to open by Black Friday, according to village president Valerie Leon.
uncertain
12 → include → Leon
“There’s a lot of curiosity and excitement,” she said, praising the expedited opening of the combined 20 storefronts.
asserted
she → ’ → storefronts
A total 60 of Belmont’s 90 stores are game-ready this fall — with its final 30 good to go in early 2027.
asserted
30 → go → 2027
Leon added that a “very exciting” upscale restaurant will also be announced in the new year.
asserted
restaurant → add → year
Fans have plenty of Islanders and equestrian crossovers to look for ahead of that broader timeframe, as team-themed Dot cakes will make their way to kiosks at the open-air concourse, along with further activations around the All-Star Game.
asserted
cakes → have → Game
Cheeseman anticipates the village doubling over for live music on game days.
asserted
village → anticipate → days
The Aporia
