How Much Does It Cost to Go to the Kentucky Derby? (Price Guide)

The Kentucky Derby is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May, and the day before it is Kentucky Oaks. Most Derby tickets are sold as a two-day package, so one purchase usually covers both days. What you pay depends mostly on where you want to be: in the infield on your feet, in a reserved seat, or in a dining room with a view of the track.

The prices below are "starting at" figures from the official ticket pages for the 2027 Derby. A starting price is the lowest price offered for that area, not what every seat costs. Specific rows, sections, and suites within an area can cost more, and prices change as inventory sells.

Infield general admission is the entry point, at $166 per guest. It is standing room only, so there are no assigned seats, and the price includes fees. Food and beverages are sold separately, which means the ticket is not the whole day's cost.

Moving up from there, the Infield Final Turn general admission area starts at $377, Frontside Plaza Walkaround starts at $765, and covered Infield Turf Cabanas start at $480. The cabana price is a starting figure per guest for a private covered space, so check the official page for the group size and what is included.

Reserved seats give you an assigned spot, which makes the day easier on your feet and your schedule. Prices climb with the view and the amenities.

Turfside Reserved Seating, in the infield, starts at $859. Starting Gate Courtyard starts at $1,101, and box seating on the first floor starts at $1,203. Closer to the finish and the club areas, prices rise further: Ford First Turn starts at $1,442 and the Homestretch Club starts at $2,817. Many reserved options are all-inclusive, meaning food and drink are part of the package, so compare the amenities before deciding that a higher price is not worth it.

Dining packages bundle a seat with a meal, usually in a covered or indoor space.

Champions Balcony and Loge starts at $2,133, Turf Club Balcony starts at $3,486, and Skye Terrace starts at $4,147. Private suites are available too, and their pricing is handled through Churchill Downs sales rather than a public online price, so contact the Premium Sales department if you are interested.

The ticket is one piece of a larger budget. A realistic plan includes:

• Lodging. Louisville hotels fill early for Derby week, and rates rise around the race. Staying outside the city and driving in can lower the bill, but allow time for traffic and parking.
• Travel. Flights to Louisville, rental cars, or gas if you drive.
• Parking and transport. Lots near Churchill Downs and rideshare options all have their own costs.
• Food and drinks. Infield general admission does not include them, so plan to spend on both throughout the day.
• Attire. Derby day is known for hats and dressy clothing. The cost ranges from nothing, if you already own something suitable, to a lot.
• Wagering. Betting is optional. Set a limit before you arrive.

Some packages combine tickets with hotels and extra experiences. These can simplify planning, though the total will be higher than buying tickets alone.

The infield is the lowest-cost option and has a festival feel, with standing room, big screens, and food and drink to buy. It is also exposed to weather, and you will be on your feet most of the day. A reserved seat costs more but gives you a place to sit and a more predictable day. If you are choosing between the two, think about how long you want to stand and how much you plan to spend on food and drink.

Buy through the official Kentucky Derby site, which runs ticket sales for Churchill Downs. Premium and luxury hospitality is sold through the Churchill Downs Premium Sales department. If you cannot use your tickets, the official Ticket Exchange on the Kentucky Derby site is the place to resell them, and it is the safer place to look for tickets when the original sale has ended.

Tickets for the next Derby typically go on sale well before race day, and the best-priced areas can sell out. Check the official site for the current schedule.

• Choose infield general admission if standing all day suits you.
• Book lodging as soon as you buy tickets. Hotel prices tend to rise as race day approaches.
• Eat before you arrive and budget a set amount for food and drinks inside.
• Compare all-inclusive seats against general admission plus separate food and drink. For some groups the gap is smaller than the sticker prices suggest.
• Split a cabana or box with friends if the area is sold per group.