LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The countdown to Kentucky Derby 147 is on, and ticket inventory options go on sale to the public this Friday at noon Eastern.


What You Need To Know

  • New Derby ticket inventory options go on sale to the public this Friday at noon

  • New two-day Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby ticket options are uncovered reserved bleacher seating in the First Turn and uncovered reserved box seating for six in the Infield

  • All reserved seats to the Derby and Oaks will include all-inclusive food, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic beverages

  • The 147th runnings of the Derby and Oaks will be held on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, respectively

The new two-day Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby ticket options are uncovered reserved bleacher seating in the First Turn and uncovered reserved box seating for six in the Infield, which will be temporary structures that expand the perimeter of reserved seating opportunities. There will also be a limited number of first-floor grandstand and second-floor grandstand reserved seats available.

In 2021, all reserved seats to the Derby and Oaks will include all-inclusive food, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic beverages. The move "is intended to improve the guest experience by reducing the amount of time spent in line, eliminating the need for cash transactions for food and beverages, and providing the opportunity to try a greater variety of food," said a release from Churchill Downs.

Just eight months after an unusual Derby season in 2020, the 147th runnings of the Derby and Oaks will be held on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, respectively.

Churchill Downs is limiting the number of reserved seats to 40-50% capacity, and up to 60% in certain private areas that allow for social distancing. The racetrack said that if COVID-19 circumstances continue to improve closer to the race, it will consider the sale of additional reserved seats and general admission tickets in the infield.

Tickets to Churchill Downs for all Kentucky Derby Week events are on sale online.

Those who purchased tickets but are unable to attend the Derby, Oaks, or other events can use the Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange, an official fan-to-fan resale marketplace and the only authorized resale platform to resell tickets. 

Notifications about additional tickets to the Derby and Oaks will be made via email and social media. Fans can subscribe to the Derby's email distribution list online and follow @KentuckyDerby on social media for more information.

Interested in attending both Derby and Oaks? You can visit Derby Experiences, the Derby's official experience package partner, to see a variety of packages combining Derby and Oaks seats with access to lounges, VIP Fast Access Passes, hotel and transportation accommodations, and more.

Other events Churchill Downs is providing tickets for include:

  • Opening Night presented by Budweiser (Saturday, April 24)
  • Dawn at the Downs (Sunday, April 25 and Monday, April 26)
  • Champions Day presented by TwinSpires (Tuesday, April 27)
  • Thurby presented by Old Forester (Thursday, April 29)

Tickets are also on sale for the entire 2021 Spring Meet, which covers 38 dates from Saturday, April 24 through Saturday, June 26.