WORLD CUP TO SHAKE UP BIG M LIVE AND SIMULCAST SCHEDULES

Thursday, May 7, 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming soon to the New York metropolitan area, and with it, given that the championship soccer match will be played in the shadow of The Meadowlands at New York New Jersey Stadium (aka MetLife Stadium), there are some things that regular Big M live racing and simulcast customers should be aware of.

“With live World Cup matches taking place at the stadium on Saturday, June 13, and Saturday, June 27, there will be no live racing at The Meadowlands those evenings, pending approval from the New Jersey Racing Commission,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir.

The Meadowlands will seek to make up those race dates on Thursday, June 11, and Thursday, July 2.

In addition, The Big M will ask the Commission to cancel simulcasting on the following dates, when World Cup matches will be played:

• Tuesday, June 16
• Monday, June 22
• Thursday, June 25
• Tuesday, June 30
• Sunday, July 5
• Sunday, July 19

“We are hoping that our regular customers don’t mind some inconvenience when the World Cup is in town,” said Settlemoir of the tournament that begins on June 11 and concludes July 19. “But the fact is, those days play out like Football Sundays when the Jets or Giants are playing home games. The difference is, there is no parking on site. We are open on days when there is soccer to any rideshare customers on property. On those days, patrons can get their action in the FanDuel Sportsbook.

“In addition, we will be offering watch parties for both soccer and racing when there are no games held at the stadium. We want people to come out early and enjoy the matches while accessing our property for wagering, not to mention the many food and beverage choices we offer at The Meadowlands.”

THE RETURN OF MEADOW FROM THE MEADOWS: This weekend marks the return of Meadow Twaddle to the Sam McKee Memorial Broadcast Set.

Twaddle, the newly minted marketing director of The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, will serve as co-host alongside Big M TV host Dave Little for both race cards.

“It feels great to be back at The Meadowlands,” said Twaddle. “There’s just an energy here that’s hard to match anywhere else in harness racing and I’m excited to be part of it again. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few months working hard on my skills and growing professionally, so I’m eager to put that to use again in this environment.

“As for the new job, it’s been going really well so far. I’ve loved getting the chance to connect with people, promote the sport, and bring some fresh ideas to the table. There’s a lot of momentum right now, and I’m excited about what we’re building and where things are headed.”

The pregame show begins at 6 p.m. nightly.

On both Friday and Saturday, Ken Warkentin will be in his usual spot calling the races while Gary DiLeo will handle back-paddock interviews.

DiLeo will provide commentary and selections for the FanDuel Television (FDTV) feed on Friday.

MELISSA KEITH IS BACK: Melissa Keith, the columnist from Harness Racing Update who served as the track announcer at Rideau Carleton Raceway until the track’s recent closing, will be back in The Meadowlands fold this Saturday night, when she serves as the commentator for the mile oval on the FDTV feed.

Keith was the race caller for the entire Meadowlands program on Saturday, March 7, when the track celebrated International Women’s Day with an all-female talent team.

SENSATIONAL SIRE STAKES STARS: Several big players on the New Jersey Sire Stakes scene will get behind the gate Saturday night in a pair of Platinum-level $25,000 Leg 2 events for 3-year-old pacers.

In the split for fillies, all eyes will be on Be Perfect BG, the daughter of Perfect Sting-JK Mardi Says, who ran her lifetime record to six wins in six tries after winning her seasonal debut last week in a lifetime-best 1:50 as the 1-9 favorite for trainer Tony Beaton and driver Dexter Dunn. She’ll depart from post one as the 6-5 morning-line favorite.

Azrael Blue Chip is the one to beat in the division for colts and geldings. The Besim Odza-trained colt by Perfect Sting-Bathsheba displayed explosive late pace a week ago, only to come up a nose short to Bookie J (who is not in this week) in a 1:50 mile with Andy McCarthy in the pilot’s seat. He has drawn post four and will start at 5-2 on the morning line.

THE SPECTACULAR SEVEN: Here is the new lineup of wagers that will be offered every racing night. They all offer a low 15 percent takeout:

• Races 1-5: 20-cent Early Pick-5
• Races 3-8: 20-cent Pick-6
• Races 6-9: 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 7: 10-cent Early Pentafecta (Hi-5)
• Races 8-12: 20-cent Late Pick-5
• Races 10-13: 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($50,000 guaranteed pool)
• Race 14: 10-cent Late Pentafecta (Hi-5)

THE SCHEDULE: Live harness racing at The Meadowlands will be conducted on a Friday-Saturday basis through Sept. 12 with a first-race post time of 6:35 p.m.

There are several exceptions to those rules.

On July 4, there is a stakes-packed program that includes two Graduate finals as well as eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace. Post time is 6 p.m.

The 101^st edition of the $1-million Hambletonian is on August 8. That card begins at noon.

Finally, there will be one card that takes place on a Thursday. That program is on August 6.

There may be more changes to the schedule in the coming weeks with the World Cup coming to town.

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.

CHECK OUT FACEBOOK AND X: Check out The Meadowlands on Facebook (@meadowlandsracetrack) for race replays, interviews, carryover updates, promotional videos and much more.

Everything Meadowlands is also 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).

BET THE HOOPS IN FANDUEL: Meadowlands regulars who love to plunk down a bet or two on professional sports, 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 second round of the NBA Playoffs continue Thursday (May 7) with a pair of Conference Semifinal Series Game 2s.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Detroit for a 7:10 p.m. tilt with the Pistons.

The Pistons, who lead the best-of-series one game to none, are a 3½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 215½ points.

At 9:40 p.m., the Luka Doncic-less Los Angeles Lakers are in Oklahoma City to take on the defending NBA World Champion Thunder.

OKC, who were victorious in the series’ opener, is a 15½-point favorite in the game that has an under/over of 210½ 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.