Could the new Belmont Park host the Winter Classic and other marquee NHL events?
The new Belmont Park grandstand and facility upgrades are seen in Elmont on Monday. Credit: Rick Kopstein
The Islanders can certainly envision an outdoor game at the reconstructed Belmont Park.
“I don’t think it’s a pipe dream,” Islanders president of business operations Kelly Cheeseman told Newsday on Monday. “It’s definitely a discussion we’re having and [NHL President of Content and Events] Steve Mayer and the Commissioner [Gary Bettman] know it’s important for us and we’d like to have it. But we’re nowhere at a point yet where we’re really saying, ‘It’s on this year at this time.’ But it’s definitely a priority.”
The rebuilt Belmont Park is set to re-open to racing on Sept. 18.
“It’s definitely been discussed but it would be more on the hockey guys’ side,” New York Racing Association Chief Executive Officer and President David O’Rourke told Newsday in a separate interview on Monday. “But that’s definitely something we would love to have the opportunity to do. Other sporting events as well have been discussed on this property.”
O’Rourke said NYRA does want to work in concert with UBS Arena and Belmont Park Village to create a campus environment.
Cheeseman concurred.
“Our priority first is working with them [NYRA] and the campus to think about what the other events outside of the horse racing are going to look like at the track,” Cheeseman said. “We’ll be in partnership with them on that, whether that’s concerts or music festivals or anything else that could go on there.”
Cheeseman added having an outdoor game at Belmont Park would not be contingent on building a nearby hotel.
Islanders’ ownership has craved hosting marquee league events and the All-Star Weekend will be at UBS Arena on Feb. 5-6, 2027.
“As we grow here, the Islanders want to host and play in big games, nationally and internationally,” Cheeseman said.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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