Coming off a record-setting season in 2025, Bangor Raceway is poised to set even higher standards when its 2026 racing season kicks off on Sunday, April 26 with an 11:45 a.m. first race post time.
The 2026 racing schedule features Sunday afternoon racing through May 31 , plus July 5 through July 19 (12:10 p.m. first post) and Wednesday afternoons through July 15 at 3 p.m. (except 11:45 a.m. first post on April 29).
The 2025 race meet featured several physical on-track improvements, new personnel and a new record for average daily handle. Heading into 2026, horsepeople will be welcomed back with an across-the-board purse increase of 12 per cent with the anticipated average daily purse schedule to reach a record $50,000 USD per day. The condition sheet for racing on April 26 and 29 is available on the United States Trotting Association website at ustrotting.com.
"We are hoping to continue the positive momentum from last year’s meet and this large purse increase should give us a nice head start," said Thomas Smith, Bangor Raceway's Live Racing Manager. "Horsemen and racing fans can expect to see other improvements and changes during the season, and we are excited to get racing back at Historic Bangor Raceway after a long winter."
Bangor will host a total of 40 days of live racing in 2026 with its spring/summer meet going through Sunday, July 21. The fall meet will have 15 total racing dates spread across September, October and November, concluding Saturday, Nov. 7. Evening race dates are scheduled during the Bangor Fair on July 30 and Aug. 5.
On-track racing fans can once again try to win the “Crown of Queen City” season-long handicapping contest featured a grand prize of $1,000 USD in PENNPlay cash commencing opening day through July 21.
(With files from Bangor Raceway)