COLLINSVILLE, Ill., Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fairmount Park Casino and Racing concluded its 2026 racing season with spectacular highlights throughout the year, and plans to build on the momentum and the many improvements it has already made across the facility heading into 2027. Next season, Fairmount Park will debut a new paddock, new jockeys’ quarters, and a new racing office, and will make changes to its racing schedule to enhance the experience for fans. Fairmount Park is owned by Accel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: ACEL), a leading locals-focused gaming operator partnering with small businesses, local communities, and state governments to provide entertaining, convenient, and safe gaming experiences nationwide.
Fairmount Park drew over 6,000 people for the St. Louis Derby this season, marking one of the most successful Derby Days in the facility’s recent history. Fairmount Park also had multiple days during the season when the track had more horses running than any other track in the country, reflecting the increased field size and improved purses over the last couple of years of racing.
In comparison to 2025, Fairmount Park ran 18% more horses, had 30 more races, and welcomed nearly 19,000 more spectators to the track. The track also awarded 37% more in purses during the 2026 season.
“We set several records this season, and it was a very successful year from start to finish,” Fairmount Park General Manager Brian Jenkins said. “We’re going to keep investing in our racing product every year, including our track infrastructure and purses to draw the best talent from around the region right here in Collinsville.”
Over the last year, Fairmount Park added a new inner rail, clubhouse kitchen, winner’s circle, restroom upgrades, new food and beverage options, and more. The new paddock, jockeys’ quarters and racing headquarters in 2027 will continue to improve the on-track product at Fairmount Park.
“We’re investing heavily in the track, and we plan to continue to upgrade Fairmount Park in all aspects,” Jenkins said. “We are enhancing the facility for our guests, fans, and athletes, continuing our commitment to our rich history. For the first time in decades, Fairmount Park will have a new racing office and jockeys’ quarters.”
The 2027 racing season will come with some key enhancements, including a longer season that runs from April 6 to November 23 with live racing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the first Saturday of each month. The first Saturday racing day of the year will be May 1.
To wrap up 2026, Alexander Bendezu took home Jockey of the Year honors with 76 wins and $1,315,904 in earnings. Scott Becker won Trainer of the Year with 67 wins and $1,361,400 in earnings. Fan favorites Johanis Aranguren, a female jockey from Venezuela, and Brody Martinez, a young local jockey, finished with 50 and 31 wins, respectively.
Fairmount Park Casino & Racing is a premier entertainment destination located in Collinsville, Illinois, offering live thoroughbred horse racing, a state-of-the-art casino, live entertainment, and dining. Since 1925, Fairmount Park has been a cornerstone of the region’s sports and entertainment scene, hosting a full calendar of races, special events, and promotions that draw guests from across the Midwest. With exceptional dining, gaming, racing and hospitality, Fairmount Park delivers unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages. Learn more at www.fairmountpark.com.
About Accel
Accel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: ACEL) is a growing provider of locals-focused gaming and one of the largest terminal operators in the United States, supporting nearly 30,000 electronic gaming machines in over 4,700 third-party local and regional establishments and 20 self-operated gaming locations across ten states. Through exclusive long-term contracts, Accel serves licensed non-casino locations, including bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, gaming cafes, and fraternal and veteran establishments.
Accel provides its local partners with a turnkey, full-service, capital-efficient gaming solution that encompasses manufacturing, content, payments, loyalty, 24/7 customer service, data analysis and reporting, and cash logistics. The Company’s racino, Fairmount Park – Casino & Racing, features live racing, electronic gaming machines, live table games, food and beverage amenities, and pari-mutuel betting.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding our ability to improve the on-track product at Fairmount Park. Words such as “predict,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” “continue,” and similar expressions or the negatives thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our current reasonable beliefs, expectations and assumptions and involve inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: Accel’s expansion into casino operations and horse racing; decreased discretionary consumer spending due to broader macroeconomic and socio-political conditions; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in documents filed or to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission including those described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, publicly update or alter any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
For more information, contact:
Jessica Williams
618.772.2349
Joseph Jaffoni, Norberto Aja
JCIR
212-835-8500
acel@jcir.com
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