The Kentucky Derby average ticket price for the 2017 annual race has fluctuated slightly and stayed in the higher price range, never going below $300 ticket price over the recent six years. The largest increase came in 2015 with an increase of 38%, moving from a $349 average ticket price from the previous year to a $481 average price. Average Kentucky Derby ticket prices experienced little to no change in 2015 and 2016 with the price changing from $481 to $480. The Kentucky Derby is seeing a significantly lower price as the 2017 prestigious race approaches at an average $306, a 36% decrease, this is subject to change as the event nears in May.
(Data updated 11/11/2016)
How to Buy Kentucky Derby Tickets
1. Scan through the 2018 Kentucky Derby Schedule and select the game that you would like to attend, or use the opponent or date filters beside the Kentucky Derby ticket listings to find the perfect matchup.
2. Click “Select” to reveal all available Kentucky Derby tickets, the Churchill Downs interactive seating chart, ticket quantity, and ticket price filters. Use the ticket price filter, and ticket quantity filter to quickly refine your search to the available Kentucky Derby tickets that are in your price range. You can also utilize the “eTickets Only” filter to find all Kentucky Derby tickets that will be delivered electronically. The Churchill Downs interactive map can be employed to reveal all tickets available for a preferred section. Select the perfect tickets and click “Go” to proceed to checkout.
3. Review the checkout page to ensure that the Kentucky Derby tickets have been selected, and read through any ticket notes or delivery information. If everything looks correct, fill out the checkout information, and purchase your Kentucky Derby Tickets!
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2018 Kentucky Derby Preview
The 2017 Kentucky Derby is set to hit Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6, 2017, and will mark the 143rd Run for the Roses for one of the most prestigious events that feature the best thoroughbreds in the world. As the Kentucky Derby approaches, horse racing aficionados will be watching for a Triple Crown favorite to win in 2017, after it was not accomplished in 2016. A number of favorites will be featured on the field at the 2017 Kentucky Derby, with four standing out. Shackin Up, Tricky One, Bode’s Dream and You Know Too are the top contenders as the running for the Triple Crown begins in Louisville. No matter which horse wins, this one of a kind event will bring fans from all over ready to sip their Mint Juleps and feature their lavish hats. Get your Kentucky Derby Ticker and don’t miss this event!
The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Address: 700 Central Ave. Louisville, Kentucky, 40208 Churchill Downs is located in south Louisville west of Churchill park at interstate 65. Churchill Downs usually seats 50,000 however, crowds during the derby sometimes exceed 150,000 as additional seating areas are opened to accommodate the event. New to the event in 2014 is a new high-definition screen which will sit on the backstretch the outside of the track and face the grandstand and infield. Officials claim it will be the largest high-definition video screen ever constructed.
Infield General Admission
The area provides a fun large-party atmosphere and is an inexpensive way to attend the event but not the best views of the race. The Infield Club provide access to a VIP lounge area that features cocktail service, half-price menu items, large screen TV’s and monitors at each table along with private betting window and executive bathrooms.
The Grandstands
Comprised of sections 120-128 (1st Floor Grandstand), 212, 218-228 (Grandstand Mezzanine/Plaza Balcony), and 322-328 (3rd Floor Grandstand) and are divided into three levels. The Grandstand Terrance level is closest to the track. The better seats in these sections are closer to the finish line and are the lower number sections (120, 218, 322).
The Clubhouse Levels
Comprised of sections 110-117 (1st Floor Clubhouse), 2nd Floor Clubhouse and 312-321 (3rd Floor Clubhouse). The Kentucky Derby Clubhouse level tickets are a great place to sit close to the finish line. 1st Floor Clubhouse tickets get you seats that are so close enough to the track to feel the ground as the horses run by. Tickets to section 120 grant you access to the 3rd Floor Clubhouse. 3rd Floor Clubhouse Level tickets provide great views of the entire track and are among the best seats at Churchill Downs. Some 3rd floor clubhouse seats are fully covered, including rows D and higher. Rows A-B are not covered, while row C is partially covered. The sections closest to the finish line are 116,117, 218, 316, 317 and 318. Our pick for the best seats at the Kentucky Derby here are in section 316.
Kentucky Derby Suites
There is a large selection of suites at Churchill downs, TicketCity offers tickets and can help ensure you have ultimate Kentucky Derby experience. We offer tickets for the Jockey Club Suites, 5th Floor Finish Line Suites, Interior Premium Boxes and the Matt Winn Room (reserved tables). Suites can fit about 24 people and come with full catering, private wagering and balconies that provide a perfect view of the action.
Millionaires Row & Skye Terrace
Millionaires Row (4th Floor & 6th Floor) provide a luxurious and celebrity-filled Kentucky Derby experience. A table here provides a great vantage point to watch the races via personal monitors or from the 4 tiered balcony. The Skye Terrance is adjacent to Millionaires row and offers the same amenities but a more traditional experience.
What day is the 2017 Kentucky Derby?
The upcoming Kentucky Derby will take place on May 6, 2017. Every year the Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May.
Where is the Kentucky Derby?
The annual Kentucky Derby event will take place at the historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
What time do the gates at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby?
Churchill Downs open at 8am EST for the day. The post time for the first race at 10:30a EST.
Is there a dress code at Churchill Downs?
There are some restrictions in a few areas. Sneakers, athletic apparel, denim/jeans or shorts are not permitted in the Trophy Room, Turf Club, Finish Line Suites, Jocky Club Suites, Aristides Room, Stakes Room, Turf Suites, Section 111 Trophy Suites, Trackside Village or in Millionaires Row. Additionally, worn/torn/frayed garments, collarless shirts, tank tops and bare midriff are never allowed in any reserved seating areas. The infield areas are much more casual with jeans, shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts and casual dresses all being acceptable.
Is there re-entry into Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby?
There will be no re-entry into Churchill Downs once you have passed through security. If a ticket holder leaves and goes outside of the venue they will not be allowed to return. Make sure that everything needed for the day of the Kentucky Derby is brought as you will not be able to leave and come back; items needed is phone charger, sunscreen and rain protection.
How can I buy cheap Kentucky Derby tickets?
TicketCity offers a huge selection of Kentucky Derby tickets that include some of the lowest price tickets on the market. Kentucky Derby ticket prices fluctuate based on the demand. When there are well-known horses in the race or horses expected to compete for the triple crown, prices will increase. The opposite might occur if there are not as many popular horses participating in the race, give the chance to get cheap Derby tickets.
TicketCity at the Kentucky Derby
Every year TicketCity has a local presence at the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks to assist our clients with ticket pickup and additional purchases. As the weekends' events draw near, our sales associates are available for personal assistance as needed.
2016 Kentucky Derby Preview
The 2016 Kentucky Derby is set to hit Churchill Downs on Saturday May 7th, 2016 and will be the 142nd Run for the Roses. New at the 2016 Kentucky Derby, is the new starting gate lounge, which offers fans at Churchill Downs, views of both the iconic Twin Spires, and the racetrack, while positioned directly along the homestretch. The Starting Gate Lounge is just one of the many luxury seating options available at Churchill Downs for the 2016 Kentucky Derby. As always, the Kentucky Derby will feature a field of the top thoroughbred horses in the world, as they vie for a chance to win the Triple Crown of Horse racing. One of the favorites to bring home the 2016 Run For the Roses, will be Mor Spirit, who has an impressive progeny, which includes Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Other top contenders for the 2016 Kentucky Derby include Gun Runner, Nyquist, and Danzing Candy. There is nothing quite like seeing the Kentucky Derby live, and the 142 Run for the Roses will have Churchill Downs packed and brimming with excitement.
2015 Kentucky Derby Preview
The 2015 Kentucky Derby is set to hit Churchill Downs on May 2nd. 2015 will mark the 141st Run for the Roses and will feature a field of the best thoroughbreds in the world. As always, the quest for horse racing’s illusive Triple Crown begins in Louisville. The field at the 2015 Kentucky Derby will feature a number of favorites, with three standing out. American Pharoah, Dortmund, and Carpe Diem have all been on a tear in 2015 and look to come into the 2015 Kentucky Derby with the best odds of bringing home the roses. Other top contenders should include International Star, Firing Line, and Mubtaahij. No matter which horse wins, the 141st Kentucky Derby should be one of the best in the history of the event and is once again the pinnacle of the horse racing world.
2013 Kentucky Derby Preview
The road to Derby 139 is coming to an end cementing the world's top 20 Thoroughbreds into the greatest two minutes in sports. Since late September at the Juddmonte Royal Lodge to the end of April at the Derby Trail 3-year old Thoroughbreds have been thundering around tracks all over the country in hopes of securing a spot among the greatest horses the world has ever seen at the 2013 Kentucky Derby.
Sitting atop the Derby leaderboard is the stamina infused homebred from Stuart Janney III & Phipps Stable, Orb. Orb has an extremely strong pedigree for 1 ¼ miles that he acquired from his dam, Lady Liberty and his sire, Malibu Moon. The Bay Colt secured a Derby berth with two first place finishes at Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth and the Florida Derby earlier this year. Orb’s Jockey, Joel Rosario, will be making his second Derby appearance after finishing fourth in the 2010 Derby aboard Make Music for Me.
Trotting in at a close second atop the Derby leaderboards is Verrazano. The 3-year old Bay Colt came by way of More Than Ready -- Enchanted Rock, a pedigree that is laden with quality. Verrazano obtained an aggressive amount of speed from his sire, More Than Ready, but will be relying on his dam’s side of the pedigree to stretch that speed for 1 ¼ miles. Fortunately, Verrazano’s top mount has had his fair share of Derby experience including a victory at the 2011 Kentucky Derby atop Animal Kingdom. John Velazquez will be making his 14th appearance at the Derby with hopes that Verrazano is yet another potential contender.
Potentially the most star destined Derby contender, Goldencents has a story unlike any horse on the leaderboards. The Colts owner, Rick Pitino, is also the head coach of the National Champion Louisville Cardinals. In a year that has already gotten him a visit to the Hall of Fame and a National Title, Rick Pitino could potentially own Derby 139’s winner. Unfortunatly, Goldencents pedigree is not as star-lighted as his owner’s history. A first place finish at Santa Anita’s 1 1/8 mile derby cemented his spot in the Kentucky Derby but Goldencents aptitude for the 1 ¼ mile may prove to be his Achilles heel. Though the Colt’s immediate family, Into Misschief & Golden Works, lacks any noteworthy performers there is light at the end of the tunnel as Goldencents line did produce the 1983 Kentucky Derby winner Sunny’s Halo.
With the Derby Trails still to be ran before the "Run for the Roses" is set in stone some other likely Derby contenders include Java's War, Overanalyze, and Revolutionary. All three Thoroughbreds are sporting pedigree's that make them a strong candidate for the stamina it takes to survive the Derby. Normandy Invasion, Oxbow, and Vyjack are also sitting among the expert picks as favorites in the race but as Derby fans all over the world know anything is possible at Churchill Downs when it's the Kentucky Derby.
2010 Kentucky Derby Preview
With the Kentucky Derby set to take place on May 1, equestrians, socialites and sports fans in general will be donning their lavish hats, sipping Mint Juleps and taking in the electrifying atmosphere at Churchill Downs. It seems like every year there's some unique occurrence that makes the Kentucky Derby a memorable event to the fans who crowed the grandstand and the infield.
Just last year, more than 150,000 horse racing aficionados filled the stands to watch Mine that Bird mount an astonishing comeback to finish with the largest margin of victory in more than 60 years. Those cheering for Mine that Bird were taken on a rollercoaster ride as the horse placed dead last coming out of the first turn, only to shift into a higher gear and take jockey Calvin Borel to first place in the final furlong of the race. Completing a comeback that will be firmly cemented in Derby lore, Mine that Bird became the longest-odds horse to win the storied event in more than eight decades.
The 2010 Kentucky Derby will raise the stakes. The horse Eskendereya has been the betting odds favorite after recent dominating wins. Featuring the highest ever purse for a last-place finish, this year's race is guaranteed to draw a field of top competing horses and hordes of excited fans. Get your Kentucky Derby Tickets today and don't miss this event!
Kentucky Derby News - 5/2/2017
The Kentucky Derby is closely approaching and there is a wide variety of tickets available for the exciting Saturday race. The lowest ticket prices for the Kentucky Derby is in the infield GA area which has a range of $70 to $100. Prices then jump to over $200 for sections within the 100 and 200 level. Kentucky Derby tickets for the 300 level can be bought on the higher end for a price over $1,000.
Kentucky Derby News - 4/20/2017
Classic Empire has returned from a foot abscess recovery where he received treatments and therapy to be able to reclaim his status as a top contender for the upcoming race. The average ticket price for the 2017 Kentucky Derby has decreased 4% dropping to a $452 average.
Kentucky Derby News - 3/31/2017
As the winner at the UAE Derby, Thunder Snow tops the leader board for predictions of the 2017 Kentucky Derby. Other horses that are looking to be top contenders in May is Hence after a win at the Sunland Derby and Fast & Accurate with a Spiral Stakes win. The Kentucky Derby’s average ticket price is currently at $470.
Kentucky Derby News - 2/20/2017
There are many different levels of seating to be purchased for the 2017 Kentucky Derby. Attendees of the Kentucky Derby can purchase tickets for the infield general admission for a low price of $67 and go all the way up to $108 per ticket. The GA section at Churchill Downs provides a different perspective of the race, level with the horses.
Kentucky Derby News - 1/24/2017
Classic Empire has gone on to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November and became the champion of the Eclipse Awards. As the Kentucky Derby nears, Classic Empire has topped the leaderboard as a likely contender to win. Classic Empire would be the third straight juvenile champion to with at the Kentucky Derby, following American Pharaoh and Nyquist.
Kentucky Derby News - 12/6/2016
Average ticket prices for the upcoming Kentucky Derby have seen a spike in the price as the annual event approaches. In less than a month, tickets have increased 45% to $454 for the Sunday event. With the increase of Sunday passes the average price for 2-day passes has dropped to $675, a 13% decrease. Across the board the current predictions for the winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby is Classic Empire.
Kentucky Derby News - 11/11/2016
The 2017 Kentucky Derby tickets for May 7th at Churchill Downs officially go on sale today at 11am, with the demand of tickets rising. The average ticket price for the upcoming Kentucky Derby is currently at $306 dollars for the Sunday race. The price range for Sunday tickets is wide with the most expensive falling around $1,700 and the cheapest as low as $79 for GA tickets. Attendees can also purchase 2 day passes to attend the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, the average ticket price is selling for $763 currently.