WHAT TO EXPECT

Tickets are non-refundable and all tickets are accessed digitally. During live race dates, the Clubhouse Box Office will open one hour prior to gates and close at the second to last race for that day. After the Box Office has closed, only customers with pre-purchased tickets and gate passes may enter the facility for the last race of the day. To purchase tickets on a non-race date:

On Simulcast dates, visit the simulcast ticket purchase gate location.

By phone 502-636-4400, option 2.

Or 24 hours a day at Ticketmaster.com, Buy Tickets.

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 see something, say something. Text the word DERBY to 69050 and you will be placed in touch with Guest Services.

Safety and security of all of our guests is taken very seriously. Your bag may be searched, and you may be wanded by security upon entry. For a complete list of prohibited items, click here.

While there won’t be 150,000 people at the track like there is on Derby, large crowds are often present at large stakes race days and featured event days.

While there typically isn’t the need to dress up like Derby, there are some instances and areas that have dress codes or where themed attire is encouraged. Downs After Dark for example are night time races with themed events and encouraged. In some locations, like membership clubs and suites, there are certain levels of dress required. Follow this helpful chart and check the seating areas pages you are attending for specific Do’s and Don’ts

Races are a rain or shine event be prepared as a large number of seatings are outdoors and uncovered. In only extreme weather situations will racing be delayed or suspended.

We will do our absolute best to accommodate persons with disabilities. We are unable to provide wheelchairs for rent or storage. Parking for persons with disabilities is available within designated parking areas and can be reviewed by clicking here> link to parking.

There is public Wi-Fi available on race days.

Currently, guests are encouraged to park in Yellow and Turquoises lots & enter through the Clubhouse or VIP gate for the following areas: General Admission, Clubhouse 100 or 300 level boxes, Stakes Room, Skye Terrace, Roses Lounge, Trophy Room, Finish Line Suites, Millionaires Row, Matt Winn’s Steakhouse. You are able to access the Yellow and Turquoises lots via Longfield Avenue.

If you are having an event or seated in the Starting Gate Suites or Homestretch Club, park in the Black or Green lots and enter through the Executive gate which can be accessed via Central Avenue.

Beat the lines by having your credit or debit cards ready as a number of our concession stand have moved to cashless sales.

Cash is still needed for placing wagers at mutuel windows. While there are plenty of ATMs on site, it is encouraged you bring cash if you are looking to wager on site. Or set up your betting account through the TwinSpires app.

Churchill Downs Racetrack is regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) and as such complies with the pari-mutuel wagering rules set forth in state statutes and by the KHRC. Please see our full list of rules for more information.

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.

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.