Preakness Stakes 2026 to be Held at Laurel Park with Limited Attendance
The 2026 Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, will be held at Laurel Park in Maryland, with attendance capped at 4,800 patrons over the two-day event. This move is due to ongoing renovations at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park’s limited capacity to accommodate the traditionally large crowds.
Limited Capacity and Event Details
According to a spokesperson for 1/ST Racing, the decision to limit attendance is based on Laurel Park’s infrastructure and its current conversion into a year-round training center. In 2025, the Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness events drew an estimated combined attendance of 63,000 people [1]. The 4,800 tickets will cover both the May 15 Black-Eyed Susan card and the Preakness Stakes race.
Ticket Information
Tickets will go on sale Wednesday and can be purchased at www.preakness.com. Pricing ranges from $246 for general admission to $1,698 for the Turfside Terrace. A total of 1,000 general admission tickets will be available to the public. 1/ST will also offer luxury suite experiences, with pricing details yet to be released.
Enhanced Hospitality Options
Despite the reduced capacity, 1/ST Racing plans to enhance the event experience with temporary hospitality facilities along the rail, offering VIP access, curated food and beverage options, and premium track views. The company emphasized that the event will be a “historic” one, offering a unique experience for attendees [1].
1/ST Racing’s Continued Rights
Although 1/ST Racing has transferred ownership of Laurel and Pimlico to a quasi-public organization overseeing racing in Maryland, the company retains the rights to host the 2026 Preakness Stakes [1], [2]. The Preakness Stakes is scheduled to return to Pimlico Race Course in 2027 following the completion of renovations.
Reporting on the Event
The story of the limited attendance was first reported by Matt Hegarty in the Daily Racing Form, who sought clarification from 1/ST Racing regarding this year’s race [1].