When is the Kentucky Derby? The Kentucky Derby runs on the first Saturday of May every year at the famed Churchill Downs in Louisville, and it matters because this race is the first leg of the Triple Crown, meaning every contender starts here before the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes even enter the conversation. The in-person experience is equal parts sport and spectacle: the walk to your section under the Twin Spires, the pre-race pageantry, and that building roar when the field turns for home. Get your Kentucky Derby tickets at Event Tickets Center now to lock in your spot for May 2, 2026.

A Tradition of Excellence: The Derby Weekend Schedule

The Kentucky Derby schedule is a full weekend, not just one race. The key dates are Thursday (Thurby), Friday (Kentucky Oaks Day), and Saturday (Kentucky Derby Day), with the biggest crowds and premium energy peaking across Friday and Saturday. If you are planning tickets, use the schedule logic like this: Friday is the high-drama lead-in with Oaks stakes and a packed grandstand, then Saturday is the main event day that builds toward the Derby itself. Either way, arrive early enough to enjoy the undercard races, the outfits, and the in-venue traditions that make Derby weekend feel like its own holiday.

High Stakes at Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs upcoming events go well beyond Derby weekend, and that matters if you want the track experience without the absolute peak-day crowds. The venue runs a full racing calendar and seasonal event blocks, so you can catch live racing, special days, and other marquee dates on the same grounds where the Derby legends are made.

Later in the year, you also get marquee stakes and holiday cards, including Stephen Foster Day (a major summer stakes day), Thanksgiving Day racing, and The Clark during the Fall Meet.

Don't Get Left at the Gate: Buy Your Derby Tickets Now!

Kentucky Derby tickets can look scarce on the primary on-sale, but with a trustworthy secondary marketplace, that’s usually not a problem. The smart play is picking the experience you actually want (clubhouse views, grandstand energy, or a more social infield vibe) and locking it in early so you are choosing, not settling. Buy your Kentucky Derby tickets today at Event Tickets Center and secure your spot at Churchill Downs.