Belmont on Broadway is leveling things up in 2026 with a brand-new VIP experience—and it starts with a big name.

Organizers have announced that comedian, television host, and seven-time New York Times best-selling author Chelsea Handler will headline an exclusive pre-show event as part of her The High and Mighty Tour. The ticketed performance is set for 4 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall in downtown Saratoga Springs.

This marks the first time Belmont on Broadway is offering a premium comedy experience as part of the celebration—and it comes with a full lineup of perks.

Guests attending Handler’s show will receive complimentary parking at the Saratoga Springs City Center garage and be welcomed at UPH with a green carpet entrance, complete with a branded photo wall. Attendees will also take home a keepsake lanyard and a commemorative Belmont on Broadway poster.

The VIP access doesn’t stop there.

For the evening Broadway concert, ticket holders will get entry to a VIP tent in Ellsworth Jones Plaza, just steps from the main stage. They’ll also have access to a private indoor hospitality lounge on the second floor of the City Center, featuring light bites, a cash bar, private restrooms, and a comfortable place to recharge in the middle of one of the Capital Region’s biggest nights.

And for those looking to elevate the experience even more, Universal Preservation Hall is introducing a Cocktail Lounge Day Pass. This upgrade gives guests access to a private, members-only lounge ahead of Handler’s performance.

This new addition brings a fresh, high-end twist to Belmont on Broadway—pairing stand-up comedy with one of the summer’s biggest live music events in Saratoga Springs.