Nostalgia Meets Strategy in 'Saratogaopoly' Board Game

Local antique shop uncovers rare 1980s version of Monopoly-style game celebrating Saratoga Springs

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:20pm

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A visit to Waverly Square Antiques in Ballston Spa, New York uncovered a rare find - an unopened 1984 edition of 'Saratogaopoly,' a local version of the classic Monopoly board game that celebrates landmarks and businesses in the Saratoga Springs area. The game, which was created to benefit the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, allows players to buy and sell properties like the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and Wilton Mall.

Why it matters

As a nostalgic relic of 1980s culture, 'Saratogaopoly' provides a glimpse into how local communities sought to create their own unique spin on popular games and traditions. The game also highlights how small businesses and nonprofits in Saratoga Springs worked to drive community engagement and fundraising efforts during that era.

The details

Saratogaopoly is based on the classic Monopoly game, where players purchase local properties, collect fees, and try to avoid going bankrupt. The game features Saratoga-specific landmarks and businesses as the properties, including SPAC, Wilton Mall, and McGregor Links. Saratogaopoly went on sale in 1984, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Saratoga Hospital Foundation.

  • Saratogaopoly was released in 1984.
  • An unopened edition of the game was recently listed on eBay for $76.

The players

Waverly Square Antiques

An antique shop in Ballston Spa, New York that uncovered the rare 'Saratogaopoly' game.

Saratoga Hospital Foundation

The nonprofit organization that received a portion of the proceeds from the sale of 'Saratogaopoly' in 1984.

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What they’re saying

“Do you remember the 1984 version of Saratogaopoly?”

— Mike Karolyi, Author

The takeaway

The discovery of 'Saratogaopoly' at Waverly Square Antiques serves as a nostalgic reminder of how local communities in the 1980s sought to create their own unique spin on classic games and traditions. The game's focus on Saratoga Springs landmarks and businesses, as well as its charitable component, highlights the community-driven spirit that defined that era.