Tickets for Kentucky Derby Week and the entire Spring Meet at Churchill Downs Racetrack will go on sale Thursday at noon (all times Eastern), and there's an added day of racing to celebrate this year's Derby Week.
For the first time since 2010, Churchill Downs will return its meet opener and kickoff to Derby Week to the afternoon rather than running at night under the lights as was the case from 2011-25. Post time for Opening Day powered by LG&E and KU on Saturday, April 25, will be 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern).
Additionally, Churchill Downs is bringing back Sunday to the Derby Week schedule for the first time in 15 years. Post time for the Sunday, April 26 program will be 12:45 p.m.
The 152nd Spring Meet at the historic Louisville racetrack will span nine weeks from April 25-June 28 over 44 racing dates. Kentucky Derby Week grows from six to seven days from April 25-May 2 with no racing on Monday, April 27.
"With the Spring Meet and Kentucky Derby Week kicking off in the afternoon and the return of Sunday racing on Derby Week for the first time in 16 years, we believe our strong racing product will be well received by the local community, horseplayers around the country and our horsemen," said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack.
Tickets for all Kentucky Derby Week special events go on sale Thursday at noon at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/derbyweek and they include:
- Opening Day powered by LG&E and KU (Saturday, April 25) - Opening Night becomes Opening Day with family-friendly fun for the entire community. Celebrate the 152nd Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks post-position draws. New for this year, Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and Mini Marathon finishers will receive free admission if they wear their medals to Opening Day. Wear your medal to the box office and receive a free general admission ticket. Guests are encouraged to coordinate their attire with their family members, friends or significant others.
- Sunday Funday (Sunday, April 26) - Sunday racing returns to Kentucky Derby Week for the first time since 2010, which gives the community an extra day to celebrate the seasonal fun with brunch options around the track.
- Dawn at the Downs Dining (Monday, April 27) - A favorite for decades, guests can watch Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders train while enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast in the Stakes Room or Millionaires Row. Gates open at 7 a.m. and there is an exclusive training window only for Derby (yellow saddle towels) and Oaks (pink saddle towels) participants from 7:15-7:30 a.m. Training continues for all other horses until 10 a.m.
- Community Shopping Day (Monday, April 27) - Community Shopping Day returns, where the Kentucky Derby store located at the Clubhouse Gate will be open to the public from 6:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. A ticket is not required to shop at the Kentucky Derby Store Clubhouse location. Guests should enter at the Clubhouse Gate.
- 502'sDay (Tuesday, April 28) - 502'sDay returns for its fourth year, shining the spotlight on what truly makes this city special - the community. General Admission is $5. Guests are encouraged to "Shop Local" and wear outfits from Louisville's local shops and boutiques.
- Winsday presented by Resolute Racing: Great Thrills for the Greater Good (Wednesday, April 29) - "Winsday" returns to shine a spotlight on Louisville's robust nonprofit community. In partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville, local nonprofit organizations will be invited to fundraise and highlight the work they do to make Louisville a more vibrant place to live, work and play. By purchasing tickets through partner nonprofits, guests will directly contribute to these vital agencies, with a portion of each ticket sale to benefit their incredible work. Guests are encouraged to wear "bold patterns" this day
- Thurby presented by Old Forester: Cool Kentucky (Thursday, April 30) - In partnership with Frazier History Museum, Churchill Downs will transform into a showcase of Kentucky's rich heritage with an exploration into the Commonwealth's storied past and lively present. A must-attend for history buffs, music lovers and racing enthusiasts alike, this event encapsulates Kentucky's rich culture, spirited music and deep-rooted traditions. Guests are encouraged to wear "vintage" outfits.
- Taste of Derby (Thursday, April 30) - The 17th annual Taste of Derby culinary experience is an evening of exquisite cuisines created by nationally renowned chefs at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for VIP tickets and 7 p.m. for general admission. Taste of Derby concludes at 10 p.m.
Derby Week general admission tickets are $30 on Opening Day, Sunday Funday and Winsday; $50 on Thurby; and a special $5 offering for 502'sDay. Reserved box seats range from $39-$45 for Derby Week and $70-$85 for Thurby depending on the location.
Tickets for the 152nd Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 1-2 are available by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com or by calling (502) 636-4447 to be a part of the most extraordinary Kentucky Derby yet.
Churchill Downs also provides a secure, official resale marketplace to purchase Derby and Oaks tickets via the Churchill Downs Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange on www.KentuckyDerby.com.
In addition to Kentucky Derby Week events, tickets for all other Spring Meet racing days will go on sale at https://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/. Other key Spring Meet dates of note include:
Twilight Thursdays featuring $2 select domestic beer, live music and food trucks (every Thursday, May 7-June 25)
- Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10)
- Preakness Stakes Simulcast and Downs After Dark (Saturday, May 16)
- Stephen Foster Preview Day (Saturday, May 30)
- Belmont Stakes Simulcast (Saturday, June 6)
- Downs After Dark (Saturday, June 20)
- Father's Day (Sunday, June 21)
- Stephen Foster Day (Saturday, June 27)
