WHAT TO EXPECT

In many ways, the Kentucky Derby is the world’s largest and most entertaining fashion show, with spectacular hats and outfits! You’ll be on your feet and walking a lot as you find your seat, explore the Infield, visit the Paddock Plaza, and make trips to wagering and concession locations to place bets and refill your mint julep. It’s easy to forget about your comfort when you are planning to look as fabulous as possible, so take our Derby veteran tip and pack a pair of flip-flops or ultra-comfortable shoes to change into during the day. Your feet and legs will thank you for it! For more fashion tips, check out our full style guide for What to Wear to the Kentucky Derby

Weather, as with any outdoor event, is a wildcard at the Kentucky Derby! From sunshine and cloudless skies that bring sun burnt noses and tan lines to spring showers that make our world-famous tulips bloom, we’ve seen it all. Check the weather before traveling to Louisville, so that you are prepared with climate-appropriate attire. Consider packing sunscreen or a lightweight, clear rain poncho that you can easily slip over your fashionable Derby duds. If your seats are outdoors, you might want to bring chapstick as well! Please note that we do not allow umbrellas at the facility, as they block the views of other guests.

The size and energy of the crowd at the Kentucky Derby is a huge part of the event’s appeal. With on track attendance of over 150,000 people, the Kentucky Derby is significantly larger than comparable sports events such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, or the NCAA Final Four. However, this also means that even seemingly simple tasks, such as finding your friends on the other side of the track or making a trek to the Paddock, can take some time. Veteran attendees agree that the best approach is simply to 'roll with it.' And despite the 400 new restroom stalls we have added in just the last 2 years, it's still a good idea to head for the facilities well before it becomes an 'emergency!'

Given the many attendees at the Kentucky Derby, we take the safety and security of all of our guests very seriously. In addition to our own security staff, Churchill Downs partners with local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure our event runs smoothly and safely. For the safety of all of our guests, your bag may be searched, and you may be wanded by security. For a complete list of prohibited items, click here.

Tickets are non-refundable and all tickets are accessed digitally. Due to the sheer size of the event, we do not have the ability to re-issue lost or forgotten tickets. We also do not have a 'will-call' booth. You MUST have your tickets in order to get through the gates. Please note the only authorized place to buy & resell Kentucky Derby and Oaks tickets is the Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange. Law enforcement officials will be on site to prevent scalping.

If you have questions about your tickets in advance of the Derby, please call Churchill Downs customer service at 502-636-4400. To minimize wait times, we encourage you to call as far in advance as possible.

To review all Parking instructions, maps, shuttle taxi service and ride share locations, please visit our parking page.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to plan your transportation as far in advance as possible. Do not wait until the day of the event.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the Kentucky Derby and will do our absolute best to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please be aware that due to the size of our event and the historical nature of our facility, we are not able to: offer wheelchairs for rent or store wheelchairs of any kind due to limited space. Parking for persons with disabilities is available within designated parking areas and can be reviewed by clicking here.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING ROUTES

Nursing Mothers may enter Churchill Downs with breast pumps supplies at any gate. All bags will require additional screening upon entry and will be tagged as a medical bag.

FACILITIES

• Second floor of the Grandstand next to double doors leading to section 320
• Near the ladies restroom, close to the Clubhouse elevators on the second floor of the Clubhouse
• In the Clubhouse corridor next to First Aid
• In the Infield inside of the Norton First Aid trailer by the Infield tunnel, on Oaks and Derby days only

In order to provide the best experience for all attendees, access to reserved seating areas will be limited to guests with tickets for that particular area. Please be respectful of our ushers and security guards, as they are charged with keeping you comfortable and safe in one of the largest crowds in the world.

No smoking indoors. No smoking at any outdoor location where food is served, and no smoking in the Spires Terrace due to the historical nature of the building.

Download the Churchill Downs Racing App and enhance your day at the track. Put links to Apple Store and Google Play store for android

View race entries & bet from your phone
Skip concession lines with Express Pickup
Get turn-by-turn directions to the track & save your parking location
Locate your seats, nearby restrooms, concession stands, ATMs
Buy, manage & scan mobile tickets
Access the latest Kentucky Derby News

With the 2014 addition of the Big Board, the world’s largest outdoor 4K T.V., more fans than ever before have a view of the racing. However, it is important to note that not all seats offer direct views of the track. Due to the historic nature of our facility, some seats may be located near support poles or other obstructions. In some areas, the crowd itself can be so dense that views are partially blocked. While we cannot guarantee that General Admission patrons will have direct track views, they are able to enjoy views of our Paddock area, where the horses and riders saddle up prior to each race. Please note that aisle ways and the rail can get especially crowded immediately before a big race!

Like any major sporting event, the sheer number of people in our facility can make cellular service unpredictable. While our facility has made considerable upgrades – particularly with Verizon and AT&T – be prepared for the possibility of intermittent cell coverage. There is no public Wi-Fi available on Oaks and Derby Days.

While ATM's are plentiful throughout our facility, lines can be long at peak wagering times. One 'pro tip' our veteran Derby attendees have shared with us is to bring plenty of cash. It will save you time and allow you to place your bets more quickly. Please note: due to state law, bets may not be placed using a credit card.

In case of an emergency, or if you get lost or separated from your party, you may find yourself in need of assistance from our staff. With over 14,000 employees throughout the track on Derby day, chances are, you aren’t too far from someone who can help. Our Guest Services reps and gate staff will be wearing red shirts and/or coats. In addition to them, you will see ushers wearing bright yellow shirts windbreakers as well as a variety of uniformed security personnel.

If you can not find an employee to help you, please text the word DERBY to 69050 and you will be placed in touch with Guest Services.

If this is your first Kentucky Derby, we encourage you to make the most of your trip! Explore Louisville and the greater Bluegrass Region. Visit a bourbon distillery on Kentucky’s famous bourbon trail. Even better, visit a horse farm and see what it takes to be a Thoroughbred race horse.

Explore all the city of Louisville has to offer here.

Know where to go throughout the facility. Check out our updated facility maps that can also be found throughout the facility on race day. Facility Map >

Also, while you are on site, utilize the Churchill Downs App and the helpful Wayfinding tool which has key locations throughout the facility. The with this tool, you can get step by step instructions to different locations and special activations throughout Churchill Downs.

For security and crowd control reasons, re-entry is not permitted at the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. This means that you will not be able to go outside the gates to retrieve items from your car once you have passed through security. Please be sure to bring everything you need and pay special attention to our list of prohibited items when you enter the track.

This year we will be cashing winning Mutuel tickets out of the Derby Week Paddock Box Office, located in the White Lot (W-5). Ticket Cashing will be from 10:30 am – 4 pm. Gates are open access from parking lot by 9:30 am After Sunday, the next opportunity to cash winning tickets will be Thursday, starting at 1 pm in the Aristides Lounge (2nd floor). There is NO free admission on Thursday for ticket cashing.

Please make a copy of the ticket for your records and mail the original along with your name, address, city, state, zip and phone number to:

Churchill Downs, Inc.
Attn: Treasurer
700 Central Avenue
Louisville, KY 40208-1212

We also suggest you send it registered or certified mail. It will take approximately 8 weeks before you receive a check or your ticket back if it was not a winner.

The Internal Revenue Service requires reporting of payouts on wagers that exceed odds of more than 300 to 1 and pay in excess of $600. IRS regulations also require automatic withholding on IRS payouts that exceed $5,000. There is no withholding on payouts of less than $5,000. If you have any additional questions, please let us know.

The IRS requires the purchaser of reportable wagers to provide Churchill Downs with the following information that is necessary to complete official tax documents:

Government-issued photo ID
Proof of current address
Social Security number
Purchaser’s signature attesting to ownership of the ticket

Churchill Downs will ONLY pay reportable winnings to ticket purchasers who supply this required information. Churchill Downs will not pay reportable winnings to any individual without proper documentation nor to any individual other than the initial purchaser of the ticket.

In the instance of patron disputes involving reportable winnings, Churchill Downs reserves the right to decide the issuance of tax forms in compliance with federal rules.

IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW TO CASH SOMEONE’S TICKET TO ASSIST THAT PERSON IN AVOIDING INCOME TAXES. BOTH THE OWNER OF THE TICKET AND THE PERSON CASHING THE TICKET WILL BE GUILTY OF TAX EVASION.

Individuals under the age of 18 may not purchase, cancel or cash any pari-mutuel tickets or voucher at any manned or self-serviced machine.