Why Preakness Stakes is not taking place at Pimlico Race Course in 2026

Why Preakness Stakes is not taking place at Pimlico Race Course in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Pimlico Race Course, the home of the Preakness Stakes, has become the second of three major horse races to change location in the past three years.

Due to a major construction project, the outlook of Pimlico will change drastically. With hundreds of millions invested, the project will take over a year, and this year's race needed a change of scenery.

This comes on the heels of the Belmont Park renovations, which began in 2024. While the Belmont Stakes have undergone many location changes in the 19th and 20th centuries, Belmont Park had been the race course for over 50 years at that point.

This makes Churchill Downs the only remaining location of the three majors to play host to every event of its kind for over 150 years. In an era of redevelopment and change, the Kentucky Derby remains remarkably consistent in its location.

Here's what to know about the location change for this year's Preakness Stakes, and when Pimlico may return.

MORE: Complete list of all-time winners, records at Preakness Stakes

Where is 2026 Preakness Race?

The Preakness Stakes are taking place at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. This marks a change from the historic site, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Laurel Park is located about 28 miles southwest of Pimlico and about halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The new location keeps a fairly local proximity to the original site, just a 45-minute drive away.

But for those who are frustrated by the new location, know that it's only temporary. Laurel Park is set to serve as a one-year replacement for Pimlico.

MORE: Full results, finish order, highlights from 2026 Kentucky Derby

Why is 2026 Preakness not at Pimlico?

Pimlico Race Course is undergoing a major redevelopment at the time of the 2026 race. Over $400 million has been invested into this project, with the course set to reopen in time for the 2027 Preakness Stakes.

The demolition began in July, just a few months after last year's Preakness Stakes. The new venue is expected to have a new clubhouse, event spaces, and overall improved racing facilities, according to a press release from the Maryland Stadium Authority.

“Through this multi-year transformational project, the Pimlico Race Course will become a year-round racing facility bringing in economic benefits to the surrounding communities and further elevating Maryland, home of the Preakness Stakes, as a premier sports tourism destination,” said Craig A. Thompson, chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority.

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Where will Preakness 2027 take place?

The 2027 Preakness plans to move back to Pimlico. The construction on the course is still ongoing, so it's impossible to know for certain, but the plan is to be back in Baltimore by this time next year.

In 1873, Pimlico was home to the first Preakness Stakes. Despite being one year away, it will return in 2027 to continue a time-honored tradition.