2026 Kentucky Derby FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

The first Saturday in May every year belongs to the Kentucky Derby. Not only one of the most famous competitions in horse racing, “The Run for the Roses” is the longest active sporting event in the United States, dating back to 1875. From its long, distinguished legacy come traditions like the garland of roses crowning the winner, luxurious hats worn by the spectators, the toast of mint juleps and the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home.” With an average crowd of approximately 155,000, the Kentucky Derby is typically the most-attended stakes race in North America.

From food to fashion to the history that lives in-between, the prestige of the Kentucky Derby continues to grow. Below, find all the essential race-day tips and details, plus how to get tickets to the Kentucky Derby and events during the 2026 Churchill Downs Derby Week via Ticketmaster.

Kentucky Derby Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Kentucky Derby take place?

Since 1875, the Kentucky Derby has taken place on the dirt racetrack at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

When is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby is always held on the first Saturday of May. In 2026, the 152nd Kentucky Derby will be run on May 2.

What time is the Kentucky Derby?

The main event for the Kentucky Derby starts at approximately 6:57 p.m. ET. However, there are several preliminary races before the main event, which are set to start at 11:00 a.m. ET. Gates to Churchill Downs open at 9:00 a.m. ET. There will be no re-entry allowed.

The Kentucky Derby includes a week-long event, known as Derby Week, that starts on April 25, 2026. Churchill Downs’ Opening Day gates open at 11:30 a.m. ET on April 25 with the first post time at 12:45 p.m. ET. Following Opening Day are events such as Sunday Funday on April 26, 2026, Dawn at the Downs on April 27, 2026, 502’sDay on April 28, 2026, Winsday on April 29, 2026, Thurby on April 30, 2026, Kentucky Oaks on May 1, 2026 and finally, the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026.

How many people attend the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby race sees 155,000-plus attendees on average.

What do people typically wear to the Kentucky Derby?

Kentucky Derby fashion is almost as iconic as the race itself. Audience members dress their best, wearing formal spring attire while toting large and extravagant hats. The tradition of dressing up for the Kentucky Derby was started by the founder, Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr, as an event for the high-class. The early days of the Kentucky Derby were similar to classic European-style racing events, which had a strict formal dress code. The Kentucky Derby quickly became seen as an event to show off modern fashion. Stylish hats started to become popular during the 1960s when trends began to change. The introduction of the television, with the race now being broadcast into the homes of millions, allowed audience members to show off for the cameras, which played a part in the larger and more colorful hats and outfits gaining popularity.

What is there to do at the Kentucky Derby?

Derby Week brings plenty of fun & festivities:

• Derby Week starts with Opening Day on Saturday, April 25. In 2026, Opening Day features fan events like jockey and trainer poster singings, photo ops, a virtual reality horse race and the annual Derby Week Fashion Contest. The 2026 contest theme is “Coordinated Classics,” focusing on matching festive, family-friendly fashion for the whole group. Starting in 2026, participants in the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and Mini Marathon will be able to enter for free by presenting their medal at the box office. Racing will be prominent too, as the 2026 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Position Draw will take place at 2:00 p.m. EST.
• Sunday Funday follows on April 26 with gates open at 11:30 a.m. ET. For Derby Week 2026, Sunday races return for the first time since 2010. Fans can enjoy the additional day of festivities along with races that begin at 12:45 p.m. ET.
• Dawn at the Downs, taking place on the mornings between Thursday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 29, is a tradition that features a behind-the-scenes look at the horses competing in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Attendees can watch the participating horses that perform their morning warm ups on the track, all accompanied by commentary from horse racing gurus. Both events are free with the purchase of tickets to the Derby or Oaks, but you can upgrade the experience with Dawn at the Downs Dining tickets, which allows access to a breakfast buffet on Millionaires Row and in the Stakes Room while watching the horses on the track.
• The next event of the week will be 502’sDay on Tuesday, April 29. Introduced in 2023, the event celebrates the Kentucky Derby community and invites Derby superfans to appreciate the culture and traditions inspired by the race. Expect enthusiastic Derby-goers and plenty of horse racing, beginning with the first race at 12:45 p.m. ET. General admission tickets for 502’sDay are $5.
• Winsday is one the newest Derby Week events, leading fundraising for Louisville’s nonprofit community. For every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to the fan’s chosen local nonprofit. Race begin on Winsday at 12:45 p.m. ET
• On Thursday, April 30, fans can attend Thurby. Partnering with Louisville’s Frazier History Museum, Thurby treats guests to bluegrass, bourbon and horse racing. As a celebration of all things Kentucky, Thurby is a must-attend for Derby patrons. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. ET.
• Before the first Saturday in May hits, spectators at Churchill Downs can catch the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 1. This is America’s premier race for fillies (female horses). Nicknamed “Lilies for Fillies,” the Oaks is as old as the Kentucky Derby, having started in 1875. Very similar to the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks sees crowds dressed to the nines to cheer on the quickest fillies in the world
• Finally, the Kentucky Derby happens on Saturday, May 2. The fastest three-year-old thoroughbred horses in the world will compete in a 1.25-mile-long race, with the winner being showered in roses and a $5 million purse.

What is the Kentucky Oaks?

The Kentucky Oaks presented by Longines takes place the day before the Derby on Friday, May 1, 2026. The event features a race of all-female horses. It’s also a celebration of fashion and fundraising. Guests are asked to wear the color pink to drive awareness to women’s health issues. It’s also tradition to have the Survivors Parade on the track, which honors breast and ovarian cancer survivors in partnership with the Breast Health Program at Norton Cancer Institute.

For even more information on the happenings of Derby Week, check out The First Timer’s Guide to the Kentucky Derby directly from Churchill Downs.

How can I get ready for the race? 

Prep for the races by donning your most dapper Derby attire. Over-the-top hats are encouraged. Keep in mind that purses larger than 12” x 6 x 12” are not allowed. Before arriving at Churchill Downs, review the list of prohibited items at the Kentucky Derby.

If you’re coming from out of town, check out the travel and parking tips, including drop-off details and rideshare services, on the Kentucky Derby website.

Churchill Downs also actively updates the standings of the horses lined up for the Derby, provides instructions on how to place wagers on the race, and provides great fashion pointers for the big day, too.

How do I buy Kentucky Derby tickets?

Fans can purchase tickets on Ticketmaster.