Infield General Admission Tickets - Derby Day infield tickets will not provide you access to the front side of Churchill Downs. In other words, with an infield general admission ticket you will not have access to the Paddock Area. Guests who purchase infield-only tickets will enter Churchill Downs from the Infield Gate located at Central Avenue and Fourth street. There will be plenty of food and drink options available for Infield General Admission guests at the infield concession stands and will also have access to a designated restroom and wagering windows.
Grandstand Seating - The least expensive reserved seats will be located in the Grandstand sections 124 - 128. Grandstand seats are bleacher style as you see below. There is no cover above so if it rains you are going to get wet and head into the inside of Churchill Downs to take cover. The best Grandstand Seats would be rows A-C closest to the track or rows M or higher in sections 124-126 which give you an elevated view making it easier to see the track. In sections 124-128 you'll see the horses run past you twice during the Kentucky Derby.
Another nice Grandstand option are seats in sections 224-228. These sections have cover in rows K and higher. With Grandstand seats you cannot cross over to the Clubhouse sections. At the Derby, you can only go down, not up. So if you purchase a ticket in the 100 level you cannot go to any floors above you. However if you purchase tickets on the 3rd level you can go down to the 2nd or 1st levels. If you are on a budget and want great seats under cover, we recommend grandstand sections 224-228. These sections are on the final stretch heading to the finish line. Rows K and higher are under cover.
View From Grandstand 121
View From Grandstand 125
Grandstand 225 - Row K and higher under cover
View from Grandstand section 325
First Turn Reserved 1001-1013 & 2001-2013
Lower Sections - Rows D and higher under cover
Lower Sections -Starts at Row A and goes to P
Upper Sections - All seats under cover
Upper Sections - Starts at row A and goes to P
Clubhouse Seating - Fold out chairs and upgraded concessions, betting areas and restrooms.
Bargain seats in the Clubhouse - Consider buying tickets in sections 111 - 113 in the lower level or 312-314 or 321 in the upper level.
View from Clubhouse 111
Below is the view from Clubhouse section 113 located three sections past the finish line. As you can see Boxes A-F have no cover so if you want protection from the rain, go with sections 114-117 in Boxes G or higher.
View from Clubhouse 113
Best Lower Level and Mid Level Clubhouse Seats - We recommend sections 114-117 in rows G or higher which will keep you dry and under cover. Clubhouse sections 218-220 are located just above the Winner Circle with all seats under cover. Seats in sections 218-220 also provide access to the third floor walkaround via a stairwell. Clubhouse sections 116-117 split the finish line and so the closer you get to the finish line the more expensive the seats will be.
View from Clubhouse 115 Under Cover
View From Clubhouse Section 218
Clubhouse 3rd Level Seats - These are all 6 seat boxes - Boxes A, B, and C are located below the 3rd Floor Walkaround and Boxes D-M are located above the 3rd Floor Walkaround. Under cover seats start with row D and goes up from there. Row M would be considered the Press Row which just has folding seats in a row located above Box L.
The best value 3rd Floor Clubhouse sections would be in 318-321 or 312-315. Sections 315-317 would be just over the Finish Line and the most expensive.
View from Clubhouse 312
View from Clubhouse 313
View from Clubhouse 315
View from Clubhouse 317
View from Section 318 Row K
Finish Line View from 318
Third Floor Walkaround Passes - Although you won't have a reserved seat, the 3rd Floor Walkaround Pass gives you access to the 3rd Floor walkaround area. From here you can walk around and enjoy the views from the entire 3rd floor. If you purchase a Turf Club Pass which gets you into the Turf Club, you will need to purchase a 3rd Floor Walkaround pass otherwise, you won't be able to access the Turf Club which is on the 3rd floor. Also a good value for groups with a 3rd floor box who need an extra few tickets.
View from 3rd Fl. Walkaround above 314
Hospitality Options - Seated Dining Included
100-110 Sections "Vineyard Vines Club" - Formerly called "Trackside Hospitality", Sections 100-110 seats offer race fans a front row seat to thunderous racing and the famous Kentucky Derby Walkover, where contenders and their connections parade along the track from the barn area to the Paddock prior to the big race. Tickets include a reserved dining plan which includes food and beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and dedicated restrooms. Rows A-C are not covered. Rows D - W are covered and include the reserved dining plan.
View from Clubhouse Section 105
4th Floor Millionaires Row - Enjoy fine dininig with drinks included - The 4th floor Millionaires row has a private terrace where you go to watch the races. It's here you will be able to see the entire track, including areas on the backstretch. Tables in rows A through D belong to personal seat license holders and come with a different color wristband which gives you priority access onto the terrace. Row A tables are closest to the terrace to look out and watch the races. 14 tables across with Table #1 being closest to the betting windows and buffet area.
Millionaires Row Room & Terrace
The Turf Club - This is the place to mingle with the celebrities. There are several different types of tickets associated with the Turf Club. The reserved seats in the Turf Club main dining room area have 4 or 6 top table which includes a lavish buffet and beer and wine. In addition to the main dining room area, you can purchase Turf Club Rose Table tickets or Turf Club Boxes which used to be called the Interior Premium Boxes. These provide you with quick access to the 3rd Floor walk around area to watch the races. The Turf Club Balcony is located on the side of the Turf Club looking out over the Paddock area. The Turf Club Terrace are in very short supply and is located just in front of the Turf Club dining room looking out over the track. When the races go off, everyone leaves their seats and goes over to the 3rd floor walk arounds to watch the races. Even with a Row A table, the view to the track is through the glass.
The last option to get access into the Turf Club would be to purchase what is called a Turf Club Walk Around pass. The pass will get you into the Turf Club but will not include a reserved seat at any table. There is a very nice bar inside the Turf Club which is first come first serve. With the Turf Club Walk Around pass you would still need to purchased a 3rd Floor Clubhouse Reserved ticket or 3rd Floor Walk Around pass to get up to the 3rd floor.
Turf Club Box - Formerly the Interior Premium Boxes
Turf Club Terrace
Turf Club Tables - Row A or B
Turf Club Balcony - View From Balcony
Stakes Room - On the 4th floor is a banquet room which holds around 150 people with a balcony.
Skye Terrace Tables and Balcony - Located just past the finish line, the Skye Terrace is another option for hospitality at Churchill downs. Located on the 4th-6th Floors, the Skye Terrace dining rooms have similar balconies and food service as the Millionaires rows areas and offer fans an another options for experiencing the races in style!
View from Skye Terrace Balcony
Directions to Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
From Downtown Louisville
Accepting Derby Tickets:
Sample Churchill Downs Menu
Hot Dogs Jumbo Jalapeno Cheddar Sausages Cheesy Bratwurst Classic Bratwurst Classic Cheeseburger Veggie Burger Bourbon Burger BLT Salad Pizza Meatball Sub Burrito Bowl Street Tacos Smoked Brisket Sandwich Nachos Pulled Pork Pulled Chicken Pretzels Hamburgers Popcorn Pizza Chicken Tenders and Waffle Fries Chicken and Waffle Sandwich Buffalo Chicken Tenders Beverage Package Includes: Liquors Woodford Old Forester Finlandia El Jimador Old Forester Mint Julep Scotch Rum Gin Wine Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir Beer Domestic Beer White Claw Hard Seltzer Sodas and Water Coke Diet Coke Sprite Dasani Club Soda Tonic Mixers Bloody Mary Lily Margarita Sweet and Sour Juices Cranberry Orange Grapefruit Pineapple
Permitted Items on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days
- Food items in clear plastic bags (maximum size 18” X 18” - no trash bags)*
- "Box" lunches in clear plastic bags or containers (maximum size 18" X 18" - no trash bags)
- Water and soft drinks – plastic bottles only (sealed, clear and unopened)
- Purses, but none larger than 12” in any dimension (subject to search)
- Baby/diaper bags – only if accompanied by a child (subject to search)
- Small cameras – none equipped with detachable lenses or lenses of 6” or more **
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen (non-glass containers only)
- Small personal music systems, radios and televisions** (No boom boxes)
- Cellular phones, smartphones and tablets**
- Seat cushions smaller than 15"X15" that do not contain metal arms and/or backs, zippers, pockets or flaps
- Strollers (ONLY if carrying a child)
- Chairs (Infield Gate ONLY)
- Blankets & tarpaulins (Infield and Paddock Gates ONLY)
* Limit of two bags per person
** Patrons could be required to turn on electronic items
Banned Items on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days
- Coolers (Styrofoam coolers, ice available at infield purchase points)
- Cans (any size or type), glass bottles or containers
- Pop-Up or Patron Tents– no poles or stakes of any kind
- Laptop Computers and Camcorders
- Cameras with detachable lenses, or equipped with a lens that is 6” or larger
- Tripods
- Selfie Sticks
- Purses larger than 12" in any dimension
- Grills
- Alcoholic beverages
- Illegal Substances
- Thermoses
- Backpacks
- Luggage (includes briefcases)
- Duffel bags
- Wagons
- Umbrellas (Umbrellas are not allowed during Derby Week: Opening Night- Derby Day)
- Balloons
- Weapons (including knives)
- Fireworks, noisemakers, air horns, laser lights/pointers, mace or pepper sprays
- Drones and remote controlled aircraft
- Personal transportation devices (e.g.Hoverboards)
- Animals (with the exception of service animals for guests with disabilities)
- Any items deemed dangerous and/or inappropriate
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Virtual Tour - Churchill Downs
