MEADOWLANDS ADDING FOUR SUNDAYS TO 2026 CALENDAR
Live racing at The Meadowlands will resume this week with 15-race programs on Friday (Jan. 2) and Saturday (Jan. 3) ...
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- January 1, 2026 -- Live racing at The Meadowlands will resume this week with 15-race programs on Friday (Jan. 2) and Saturday (Jan. 3).
Post time is 6:20 p.m.
Beginning the following week, the mile oval will add four consecutive Sundays to the schedule, giving their patrons not only an extra day to get their action, but a different look as well.
The Sunday programs, which will take place on Jan. 11, 18 and 25, and Feb. 1, will have everybody back at the track on a quick turnaround after the conclusion of Saturday night’s card.
“Our Sunday programs will begin at 12:30 p.m.,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We are hoping to create a vibe that our customers will go for in a big way. We will offer day racing with a Sunday brunch, and, in addition, our fanbase can watch and wager on NFL playoff games.”
Here is the schedule for live racing at The Meadowlands during 2026. There are 102 harness dates scheduled, pending regulatory approval:
· January (13 programs) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20; Sunday racing on the 11th, 18th and 25th, post time 12:30 p.m.
· February (9) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.; Sunday racing on the 1st, post time 12:30 p.m.
· March (8) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
· April (8) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
· May (10) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
· June (8) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
· July (9) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.
· August (10) – Friday and Saturday, post time 6:20 p.m.; Thursday racing on the 6th, post time 6:20 p.m.; post time on Saturday, Aug. 8, Hambletonian Day, is noon
· September (4) – Harness racing on the 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th, post time 6:20 p.m.; Thoroughbred racing, “Monmouth Park at The Meadowlands” turf-course action on the 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th, post time 7 p.m.
· October (5) – Harness racing on the 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st, post time 6:20 p.m.
Thoroughbred racing, “Monmouth Park at The Meadowlands” turf-course action on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th and 16th, post time 7 p.m.
· November (8) – Friday and Saturday, 6:20 p.m.
· December (10) – Friday and Saturday, 6:20 p.m., except for Friday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day, when there is no racing. Thursday racing on the 3rd, 10th and 17th, post time 6:20 p.m.
SUNDAY BRUNCH: The first of four Sunday race cards takes place on Jan. 11, and for those wanting to make the day more special, there will be a sumptuous Sunday Brunch Buffet offered for $39.95 (plus tax and gratuity).
Post time for the first race on Sunday is 12:30 p.m.
For reservations, call 201-THE BIG M.
To take a look at the brunch menu, go here.
WHO’S DOING THE SHOW? This weekend, Larry Fox, a Manhattan lawyer and sports agent who has been serving as a race caller at The Big M for qualifiers, baby races and occasional parimutuel contests over the last two years, will co-host the Friday (Jan. 2) simulcast show alongside host Dave Little.
Little will then shift over a seat and serve as co-host on Saturday (Jan. 3) night, as his wife, Debbie, the associate editor and columnist at Harness Racing Update, will host. It marks the fourth time in the last four months that the former New York tabloid handicapping duo have paired up on Big M TV after a 30-year layoff.
For both race cards, Ken Warkentin will be in his usual spot atop the stands calling the action while Gary DiLeo will handle back-paddock interviews and FanDuel TV (FDTV) commentary and selections.
BECKWITH, BURKE TOPS IN ’25: Driver Brett Beckwith capped his marvelous year at The Big M by becoming the youngest driver in harness racing history to reach the career 2,000-win plateau. The 22-year-old pilot won the fifth race Saturday (Dec. 27) night with Belmont Major N to reach that lofty number. Tyler Smith had been the youngest to 2,000.
Beckwith finished the year far in front in the Meadowlands driver dash-win standings with 146. Mark Herschberger was second with 99.
The top money-earning driver was Dexter Dunn, who banked $3,015,194. Andy McCarthy was second with $2,288,531.
Dan Patch Trainer of the Year Ron Burke finished 2025 atop the Big M conditioner dash-win standings with 57 victories. Jeff Cullipher was next with 54.
The leading money-earning trainer was Ake Svanstedt with $2,243,842, with Burke the runner-up with $2,183,357.
GET YOUR FREE PROGRAMS: To show appreciation to its loyal fan base, The Meadowlands offers free program pages for every race of every race card on its website.
Go to playmeadowlands.com, then click on the “news” dropdown to get the past performances at absolutely no cost.
A GREAT WAY TO PLAY: Every night, The Meadowlands offers a marvelous menu of popular wagers that offer a low 15 percent takeout.
Here is the rundown of when these wagers will be offered on this weekend’s 15-race programs:
· Races 1-5: 20-cent Pick-5
· Races 3-9: 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 (mandatory payout nightly)
· Races 6-9: Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Races 8-13: 20-cent Pick-6
· Races 10-13: Late 50-cent Pick 4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
· Race 15: 10-cent non-jackpot Pentafecta (Hi-5)
A SOCIAL SETTING: Everything Meadowlands is available by going on X. You can check in with the Big M team for early changes, racing information and staff selections by going to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.
Stay in touch with The Big M talent duo of Little (@DaveLittleBigM) and Warkentin (@kenvoiceover).
FOOTBALL IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on the National Football League, know all they have to do is head for the FanDuel Sportsbook, the No. 1 betting facility of its type in North America.
It couldn’t be easier to do, as it’s located inside the grandstand at The Meadowlands. There are massive TV screens and self-service betting terminals, which enable fans to watch and wager in comfort while having some great food and drink.
The 18th and final week of the National Football League regular season begins on Saturday (Jan. 3), when the Carolina Panthers head to Tampa Bay for a 4:30 p.m. game with the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay is 3-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 43½ points.
The second game of the day has the Seattle Seahawks in San Francisco for an 8 p.m. kickoff with the 49ers.
Seattle is a 1½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 47½ points.
On Sunday (Jan. 4), the Dallas Cowboys visit MetLife Stadium for a 1 p.m. start with the New York Giants.
The Cowboys are a 3½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 51½ points.
At 4:25 p.m., the New York Jets head for Buffalo to take on the Bills.
The Bills are a 7½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 38½.
Finally, at 8:20 p.m., the Baltimore Ravens head to Pittsburgh for a matchup with the Steelers.
The Ravens are a 3½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 41½ points.
Whatever the sport, for the latest odds, go here.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is open for business Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. – midnight.
