The 152nd Kentucky Derby returns to Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Kentucky Derby 2026 tickets remain on sale across every price point, from general admission at $138 to luxury suites priced over $10,000.
Most reserved seats sell as 2-day packages that cover Friday’s Kentucky Oaks and Saturday’s Derby with all-inclusive food and drinks. This guide breaks down every section, the official starting price, where to buy without getting scammed, and what you actually get for your money.
Kentucky Derby 2026 at a Glance:
- Event: 152nd Kentucky Derby
- Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Derby Post Time: Approximately 6:57 PM ET
- Kentucky Oaks: Friday, May 1, 2026 (Post time approx. 8:00 PM ET)
- Venue: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- Ticket Range: $138 (GA Infield) to $10,000+ (Private Suites)
- Best Budget Value: Run for the Roses Package – $296 for 6 Derby Week racing days
- Derby Purse: $5 million total ($3.1 million to the winner)
- Derby Week: 6 racing days plus Dawn at the Downs (April 25 to May 2, 2026)
How Much are Kentucky Derby 2026 Tickets?
Ticket prices depend on seat location, track view, food inclusions, and whether you buy a 2-day Oaks and Derby package or a single-day ticket. Most reserved seating sells as a 2-day package only. The table below shows official 2026 face-value starting prices pulled directly from kentuckyderby.com.
| Seating Section | Official Starting Price | Track View | Food and Drinks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infield General Admission | $138 (single day) | No track view | Not included | Budget/party atmosphere |
| Infield Final Turn GA | ~$376 (2-day) | Video board only | Not included | More space, bring own chair |
| Turf Bleachers | ~$779 (2-day) | Viewable from seat | Frontside access | Budget reserved seat |
| First Floor Box Seating | From $917.25 (2-day) | Viewable from seat | All-inclusive | Classic grandstand box |
| Ford First Turn Reserved | From $1,396 (2-day) | Full track panorama | All-inclusive | See all 20 horses break |
| Starting Gate Courtyard Reserved | From $1,513 (2-day) | Viewable from seat | All-inclusive | Starting gate views |
| Homestretch Club Reserved | From $2,630 (2-day) | Homestretch and Big Board | All-inclusive Chef’s buffet | Racing purists |
| Millionaires Row / Skye Terrace | $5,000+ (2-day) | Finish line trackside | Five-star all-inclusive | Ultimate luxury |
| Private Suites (24 to 52 guests) | Call for pricing | Covered balcony views | Dedicated catering | Corporate groups |
Prices reflect official face-value starting points from kentuckyderby.com as of April 26, 2026. Resale prices on StubHub, Vivid Seats and TickPick may run higher or lower. Ford First Turn and First Floor Box are tagged “Going Fast” on the official site.
Budget Options: General Admission and the Run for the Roses Package
Infield General Admission – From $138 (Single Day)
Infield GA is the cheapest way through the gates on Derby Day. The ticket gets you the festival-style infield, the world’s largest 4K outdoor video board, live entertainment, concessions and mutuel betting windows. Food and drinks cost extra.
Here’s the catch every first-timer needs to hear: you cannot see the horses race from the infield. The track rail blocks every line of sight to the racing surface. You watch the Derby on the giant video screen, much like watching at a sports bar with 80,000 of your closest friends.
Infield Final Turn GA – From $376 (2-Day)
A small upgrade from standard infield GA. Final Turn lets you bring your own chair or picnic blanket and stake out a calmer corner of the infield near the final turn. You still get no direct track view, but the area feels less packed than the main infield. The ticket also covers a racing program and access to the frontside and Paddock walkways.
Run for the Roses Package – $296 (6 Derby Week Racing Days)
This is the strongest budget pick for fans who want the full Derby Week ride. For $296 you get general admission to all six racing days during Derby Week 2026:
- Opening Day (Saturday, April 25)
- Sunday Funday (Sunday, April 26)
- 502’sDay (Tuesday, April 28)
- Winsday (Wednesday, April 29)
- Thurby (Thursday, April 30)
- Kentucky Oaks (Friday, May 1)
- Kentucky Derby (Saturday, May 2)
That’s about $49 per day. Hotel and transportation are not included. Dawn at the Downs (Monday, April 27) is a separate dining ticket and not part of this package.
Mid-Range Reserved Seating: $917 to $2,630
First Floor Box Seating – From $917.25 (2-Day)
Reserved boxes for groups of 6 with padded fold-down seats on the first floor (the 100-level) of Churchill Downs. The boxes overlook both the dirt and turf tracks, running from sections 111 to 117 between the finish line and the first turn. Seating sits outdoors and uncovered. Food and drinks are all-inclusive. The official site marks this section “Going Fast.”
Ford First Turn Reserved Seating – From $1,396 (2-Day)
Ford First Turn delivers the famous angle of the Kentucky Derby Walkover, where horses parade from the barn to the Paddock before post time. Seats sit on the 2nd and 3rd levels with sweeping views across the entire track. You watch all 20 horses break from the starting gate right in front of you. Marked “Going Fast” as of April 26, 2026.
Starting Gate Courtyard Reserved Seating – From $1,513 (2-Day)
This newer section sits near the iconic starting gate with a mix of covered and uncovered padded stadium-style seats. Fans like it because you feel the rush of the start while still keeping an assigned seat and full all-inclusive hospitality.
Third Floor Box Seating – Call for Pricing
Sections 312 to 325 stretch across the entire homestretch on the 3rd floor. Elevated outdoor seating with clear sightlines down the stretch. Call Churchill Downs at (502) 636-4447 for current 2026 pricing.
Premium Dining Experiences: $2,630 and Above
Homestretch Club Reserved Seating – From $2,630 (2-Day)
A strong value pick among premium options at Churchill Downs. Your ticket covers outdoor stadium seating with views of the homestretch and the Big Board, plus indoor access to a private temperature-controlled club featuring Kentucky’s longest bar at 97 feet and the Chef’s Table Buffet. All food and drinks included. You can bounce between outdoor seats and the indoor club all day.
Millionaires Row and Skye Terrace – From $5,000 (2-Day)
The most prestigious trackside dining at Churchill Downs. Millionaires Row offers a modern indoor dining layout with direct finish-line views, full waiter service and a covered tiered balcony. Skye Terrace sits adjacent with three floors of interior dining space and a covered outdoor terrace overlooking the finish line. Tables seat 8 guests. Formal dress code is enforced. Celebrity sightings are common.
Turf Club – Call Only
Normally a members-only club during the race meet, the Turf Club opens to non-members during Derby Week. Features include live entertainment, a bourbon bar and an interactive chef’s kitchen with brick oven and gelato station. The space splits into the Turf Club Balcony (facing the Paddock) and Turf Terrace (facing the track). Email sales@kyderby.com for 2026 pricing.
Woodford Reserve Paddock Club and Enclosure – Call Only
Rare Paddock-level access. You watch horses in their stalls in the moments before the race, then move railside for the finish. Views look directly into the Paddock alongside trainers and connections. Limited availability. Call (502) 636-4447 for pricing.
The Mansion and Matt Winn’s – Ultra-Premium
The most exclusive dining venues at Churchill Downs, available by phone only. Call (502) 636-4447.
Private Suites
Private suites host groups of 24 to 52 guests with a covered balcony overlooking the Twin Spires and homestretch. Amenities cover a kitchenette, dedicated mutuel windows, custom catering menu, full private bar with waitstaff and concierge service.
Named suite options for 2026:
- SAP Starting Gate Suites – elevated above the Grandstand at the starting gate
- FanDuel Starting Gate Suites Rooftop Garden – open-air rooftop experience with panoramic Louisville views above the starting gate
- Winner’s Circle Suites – adjacent to the Winner’s Circle and Paddock Runway
- Finish Line Suites – 5th floor above the finish line, classic country club setting with en-suite restrooms and Twin Spires balcony
- Jockey Club Suites – homestretch position beside the Twin Spires in a casual atmosphere
- Infield Turf Suites – the only suite experience in the infield, near the finish line with exclusive transportation from the parking lot
Email sales@kyderby.com or call (502) 636-4447 for suite inquiries.
Churchill Downs Seating Chart and Capacity
Churchill Downs holds more than 165,000 fans on Derby Day. The venue splits into three main zones plus private suites.
The Infield packs in 80,000+ general admission guests with the world's largest 4K outdoor video board and a festival-style atmosphere. You cannot see the track from here.
The Grandstand wraps from the first turn to the finish line. Popular sections include Ford First Turn, Plaza Balcony and Starting Gate Courtyard, all outdoors with reserved seating.
The Clubhouse runs along the stretch side with the best sightlines. It houses the Turf Club, Homestretch Club, Millionaires Row and Skye Terrace dining rooms.
Private suites sit above both the Grandstand and Clubhouse. Winner's Circle Suites, Finish Line Suites and Starting Gate Suites deliver elevated views with luxury amenities for groups of 24 to 52 guests.
Covered vs Uncovered Quick Guide
- Fully covered or indoor: Millionaires Row, Turf Club, Homestretch Club indoor area, most 3rd-floor Clubhouse sections, Skye Terrace covered terrace
- Mostly covered: 3rd-floor Grandstand sections 321 to 325 (except the first 3 rows)
- Partially covered: 2nd-floor Grandstand sections 221 to 225 (last 3 rows under overhang)
- Uncovered outdoors: First Floor Box, Grandstand 326 to 328, all 1st-floor Grandstand, Infield
Note: Churchill Downs has approved the "Victory Run" project, a $280 to $300 million build that replaces 6,400 uncovered ground-level seats with 7,800 new covered seats, private suites and dining areas. Construction starts after the 2026 Kentucky Derby and wraps up by 2028.
Kentucky Derby and Oaks 2-Day Packages
Most reserved seating sells as a 2-day package only. You keep the same assigned seat for both Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 1 and Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2. All-inclusive food and drinks come standard with every reserved 2-day package. Off-site parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center with free shuttle service to the track is also included.
The Kentucky Oaks is a major event in its own right. The 2026 Oaks carries a $1.5 million purse and for the first time ever airs in primetime on NBC at approximately 8:00 PM ET on Friday, May 1. It is America's premier race for 3-year-old fillies.
Single-day tickets are primarily available for general admission. Most reserved sections require the 2-day package.
Derby Week 2026: 6 Racing Days (April 25 to May 2)
Derby Week 2026 runs across 6 racing days plus Dawn at the Downs. Sunday racing returns to Derby Week for the first time since 2010. Dawn at the Downs (Monday, April 27) runs as a separate morning dining experience and is not a racing day.
| Date | Event | Gates Open | First Race | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Apr 25 | Opening Day | 11:30 AM ET | 12:45 PM ET | Post position draw at 2:00 PM ET for Derby and Oaks |
| Sun, Apr 26 | Sunday Funday | 11:30 AM ET | 12:45 PM ET | Returns for first time since 2010, brunch options |
| Mon, Apr 27 | Dawn at the Downs | 7:00 AM ET | N/A | Watch Derby/Oaks contenders train (separate dining ticket) |
| Tue, Apr 28 | 502'sDay | 11:30 AM ET | 12:45 PM ET | Louisville community day, $5 general admission |
| Wed, Apr 29 | Winsday | 11:30 AM ET | 12:45 PM ET | Presented by Resolute Racing, benefits Louisville nonprofits |
| Thu, Apr 30 | Thurby | 10:30 AM ET | 12:45 PM ET | Presented by Old Forester, Kentucky heritage theme with Frazier History Museum |
| Fri, May 1 | Kentucky Oaks | 11:00 AM ET | 12:30 PM ET | Post time approx. 8:00 PM ET. First-ever PRIMETIME on NBC |
| Sat, May 2 | Kentucky Derby | 9:00 AM ET | 11:00 AM ET | Post time 6:57 PM ET. 152nd Run for the Roses. $5M purse |
Where to Buy Kentucky Derby 2026 Tickets
Official Sources (Face Value)
Ticketmaster - The official Churchill Downs ticketing partner. Buy online at ticketmaster.com. Direct link: am.ticketmaster.com/churchill/derbytickets26
Churchill Downs Direct - Call (502) 636-4447. Many premium and call-only sections never list online.
Email - sales@kyderby.com handles premium sales and corporate hospitality questions.
Derby Experiences - The only officially authorized third-party premium package provider for Churchill Downs. Packages bundle reserved seating, VIP fast access, hotel, party tickets and private tours. Visit derbyexperiences.com.
Verified Resale Markets
These platforms carry buyer protection guarantees. Prices may run above or below face value.
- StubHub - FanProtect Guarantee. Valid tickets or your money back.
- Vivid Seats - 100% Buyer Guarantee on every order.
- TickPick - No-fee marketplace. The price you see is the price you pay.
- SeatGeek - Buyer guarantee with Deal Score ratings.
Ticket Release Status (April 26, 2026)
- Phase 1 (complete): 2-day Oaks and Derby packages released through Ticketmaster.
- Phase 2 (complete): Derby Week single-day tickets released in February 2026.
- Phase 3 (now): Final inventory and returned tickets. Ford First Turn and First Floor Box sections marked "Going Fast" on the official site. Act now for the best remaining selection.
How to Avoid Ticket Scams
Buy only from Ticketmaster, Churchill Downs at (502) 636-4447, Derby Experiences or verified resellers like StubHub with buyer protection. Never buy from individuals on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or street scalpers. Never pay with wire transfer, cash or cryptocurrency.
Best Kentucky Derby 2026 Tickets by Budget
Quick recap before you head to checkout. The picks below cover every budget tier with the best face-value option in each price band.
| Budget | Best Pick | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300 | Run for the Roses Package | $296 | 6 racing days, $49/day, best bang for budget |
| Under $1,000 | First Floor Box Seating | From $917.25 | Trackside box seat, all-inclusive, 2-day |
| Under $1,500 | Ford First Turn Reserved | From $1,396 | Full track views, watch the start live |
| Under $2,000 | Starting Gate Courtyard | From $1,513 | Covered and uncovered options, all-inclusive |
| Under $3,000 | Homestretch Club | From $2,630 | Indoor and outdoor combo, 97-foot bar |
| Premium | Millionaires Row | From $5,000 | Five-star dining, finish line, full service |
Kentucky Derby 2026 Tickets FAQ
How much are Kentucky Derby 2026 tickets?
Official face-value tickets start at $138 for single-day infield general admission. First Floor Box seating starts at $917.25. Ford First Turn starts at $1,396. Starting Gate Courtyard starts at $1,513. Homestretch Club starts at $2,630. Millionaires Row starts at $5,000. All reserved prices are per person for 2-day packages unless noted.
What is the Run for the Roses Package price in 2026?
The Run for the Roses Package costs $296 in 2026. It covers general admission to 6 Derby Week racing days: Opening Day, Sunday Funday, 502'sDay, Winsday, Thurby, Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. Dawn at the Downs is a separate dining experience not included in the package.
Can I see the race from general admission seats?
No. Infield general admission gives you no view of the horses racing. The track rail blocks all sightlines from the infield. You watch the Kentucky Derby on the 4K video board. Buy any reserved seating section to actually see the horses race in person.
Where should I sit for my first Kentucky Derby?
For a first-time visitor who wants to watch the race, Ford First Turn Reserved (from $1,396) or Starting Gate Courtyard (from $1,513) deliver great track views and all-inclusive food and drinks. Both are available but marked "Going Fast." On a tighter budget, First Floor Box Seating starts at $917.25 and sits directly trackside.
What time does the Kentucky Derby start in 2026?
The 152nd Kentucky Derby posts at approximately 6:57 PM ET on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Churchill Downs gates open at 9:00 AM ET. The first race of the day runs at 11:00 AM ET. There are 14 races on the full Derby Day card. Check the full Derby Week schedule here.
What is new about the Kentucky Oaks in 2026?
For the first time ever, the Kentucky Oaks runs in primetime on NBC, airing at approximately 8:00 PM ET on Friday, May 1, 2026. The Oaks carries a $1.5 million purse and is America's premier race for 3-year-old fillies. Fans traditionally wear pink for the Lilies for the Fillies theme.
What is the 2026 Kentucky Derby total purse?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby carries a $5 million total purse. The winner's share is $3.1 million. Second place receives $1 million, third place $500,000, fourth $250,000 and fifth $150,000.
Are Kentucky Derby tickets refundable?
No. The Kentucky Derby is a rain-or-shine event. Tickets are non-refundable regardless of weather. Plan for every weather scenario and consider a covered section such as Millionaires Row, the Turf Club or the Homestretch Club indoor area for protection from the elements.
What parking options are available on Derby Day?
On-site Churchill Downs parking costs $40 for cars, $150 for RVs and $200 for buses. Pay on-site only with cash or card. No advance sales for day-of lots. Free parking with free accessible shuttle service is available at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Most reserved 2-day packages include KEC parking and shuttle access.
Is there a Personal Seat License option?
Yes. Churchill Downs offers a Personal Seat License (PSL) that grants the right to purchase a specific seat in premium areas of the facility for both Kentucky Derby and Oaks for up to 3 years. Call (502) 636-4447 for PSL availability and pricing
Kentucky Derby 2026 tickets remain on sale across every price tier, so the right seat depends on your budget and what kind of day you want at Churchill Downs. Verify pricing on kentuckyderby.com before you buy and stick to official sources or buyer-protected resale sites to keep your purchase safe.
Last updated: April 26, 2026
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to ticket marketplaces. We may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend verified sellers including Ticketmaster, StubHub and Derby Experiences. All pricing information verified from kentuckyderby.com and Churchill Downs official sources, April 26, 2026.
