Indiana Wins Bid to Host Hambletonian Through 2029

ANDERSON, Indiana. — Indiana has secured a major addition to its sports calendar, with Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Anderson selected to host the Hambletonian for three consecutive years beginning in 2027.

The Hambletonian Society selected Hoosier Park’s bid to host the prestigious harness racing event from 2027 through 2029. The agreement will bring one of the sport’s most important races to Indiana following a 46-year run at Meadowlands in New Jersey.

The Hambletonian features the top three-year-old trotters in North America and attracts owners, trainers and fans from around the world. The race has been part of the harness racing calendar since 1926 and has been held at six different venues throughout its history. Hoosier Park will become the seventh.

The successful bid was the result of a collaboration involving the Indiana Standardbred Association, Indiana Sports Corp., the Madison County Visitors & Tourism Bureau, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Caesars Entertainment and Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

For Indiana’s racing industry, the announcement represents a significant opportunity to showcase the state’s growing presence in harness racing. Officials also expect the event to bring national and international attention to Anderson and the broader Indiana racing industry.

A Purdue University study cited by state and racing officials estimates that Indiana’s horse racing industry generates approximately $2 billion in annual economic impact and supports thousands of jobs, particularly in rural communities.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park has previously hosted major harness racing events, including Breeders Crown races, and currently hosts live racing from March through December. The track is seven-eighths of a mile, meeting the Hambletonian’s venue requirements.

More details about the 2027 Hambletonian, including the race date, schedule and purse structure, are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The move gives Indiana a new marquee event to add to an already growing sports calendar, further strengthening the state’s reputation as a destination for major sporting events.