Harness Racing Returning to Fresno Fairgrounds After a 100-Year Hiatus

Harness racing is set to return to the Fresno Fairgrounds following an announcement by the Big Fresno Fair and Watch and Wager LLC on January 23, 2026. The California Horse Racing Board previously approved 38 weekend race dates covering December 2026 through May 2027; final licensing for the meet remains pending. The fair board approved a two-year lease with Watch and Wager to operate the series.

Organizers plan to prepare the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand for harness meet operations with targeted facility and track improvements. The scheduled races will include in-person wagering at the track and worldwide satellite broadcasts, opening Fresno to out-of-area betting audiences and remote viewers. Watch and Wager brings operator experience from running California’s primary harness meet at Sacramento’s Cal Expo; that contract ended in 2025.

The move revives a regional tradition not seen at the Fresno site for roughly a century and reframes the fairgrounds as a potential year-round venue. Big Fresno Fair officials characterized the initiative as both a cultural revival and an economic opportunity to expand use beyond the annual fair. For Fresno County, the return of harness racing could mean more weekend visitors during the winter and spring months, increased demand for local lodging and restaurants, and seasonal employment linked to meet operations, concessions and track maintenance.

From a market perspective, in-person wagering and satellite broadcasts create multiple revenue channels: on-site admissions and concessions, pari-mutuel handle, and broadcast rights fees. Those revenue streams also influence local tax receipts and business volumes tied to hospitality and transportation. Watch and Wager’s prior experience at Cal Expo provides operational continuity for a discipline of racing that has endured statewide venue changes in recent years.

Community impacts will depend on the scale of attendance, the final licensing terms and the scope of track investments. Neighbors may see changes in traffic patterns on race weekends and increased activity at the fairgrounds, which county planners and the fair board will need to manage through scheduling, parking and public-safety arrangements. For local horsemen and stable operators, a Fresno harness meet offers an accessible regional stop for drivers, trainers and owners who previously traveled to Sacramento or other tracks.

Next steps include completion of licensing procedures with the California Horse Racing Board, execution of planned facility upgrades at the Brian I. Tatarian Grandstand, and public announcements of race schedules, ticketing and wagering details ahead of the December 2026 start window. If all approvals proceed, Fresno will host 38 weekend harness race dates through May 2027, marking a notable expansion of activity at the fairgrounds and a return of sulkies to the Valley’s racing circuit.