Churchill Downs / Kentucky Derby Seating Guide -

Will I get wet? Which rows in which sections are covered at Churchill downs

Clubhouse seating vs Grandstand seating, what’s the big difference?

Clubhouse Box Seating on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Floors of Churchill Downs:

For great views of the race minus some of the lavish VIP amenities, Clubhouse Box seats are your best bet.

Clubhouse sections are on the 1st-3rd floors of the Clubhouse at Churchill Downs and include sections 312-321, 218 & 220 and 111-118.

Most all Boxes are 6 seat boxes. They all have chair backs and are more comfortable and festive than the grandstand bleachers. There are 8 seat boxes in the 3rd floor Finish Line area. The First floor Clubhouse boxes are predominately out in the open whereas the 3rd floor boxes are mostly under cover. We can accommodate both sections. The 3rd floor offers the best view while the 1st floor is somewhat more festive as its closer to the track. The Clubhouse offers a more “dressed up” selection of amenities. The food and beverage options, betting windows and restrooms are more plentiful and accessible than the grandstand.

Keep in mind, you can always move down at Churchill Downs. If you have seats on the 3rd floor you are free to move down to the 2nd floor of the Clubhouse or 2nd-floor Clubhouse Box seats. The same is true for 2nd-floor Clubhouse seats, meaning you also get access to the 1st floor of the Clubhouse and 1st-floor-Clubhouse-Box sections or walk over to the Grandstand if needed.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Floor Grandstand Seating

For great views of the race at some of the best prices available, try Grandstand seating in the 100, 200 and 300 Grandstand sections. You're on your own for food, drinks and betting, but you still get great views of the race from the front stretch, just before the finish line. The seating from 119-128 and 221-225 are all bench type bleachers whereas the 3rd floor grandstand sections 322-325 are 6 seat, chair back boxes. Remember, if you have grandstand seats, you cannot move over to the clubhouse.

More details and descriptions about the different sections:

First Floor Clubhouse Seating (sections 111-118)

Most all are 6 seat Boxes. Folding chair back seats. Very festive as your close to the track and the horses. The Finish Line splits between 116 and 117. The horses come on to the track in the opening to the left of section 118. Under cover seats start in row G for 115-118. Great amenities as all are in the upscale clubhouse. Incredible feeling when the horses walk on to the track to “My Old Kentucky Home”.

Third Floor Grandstand Box Seats (sections 322-325)

Most all are 6 seat boxes. Folding chair back seats. Same type set up as clubhouse 3rd floor boxes except your in the grandstand. The real difference is that the amenities are just not as “nice” and or plentiful. A great bang for your buck area. Full view of the track. Rows C and higher are under cover.

Third Floor Clubhouse Box Seats (sections 312-321)

Most all are 6 seat boxes. The exception is 316-317 under cover (Rows D and higher) they are 8 seat boxes. The best overall view from a box seat plus the added amenities of the 3rd floor clubhouse makes these seats the most desirable. The Finish Line falls right between 316-317. The before mentioned 8 seat boxes are equipped with TV monitors, private betting machines and plush seats. Here you will find many owners, trainers and celebrities. Rows C and up are undercover.

Turf Club

The Turf Club is a private “club” for members only, but of course if you have a ticket on Derby or Oaks day, you’re in! These are tables of 6’s and 4’s in which the room is located on the 3rd floor clubhouse just above section 317 on the wire. A lavish gourmet buffet is included with your ticket but you will have to pay your served for drinks. Celebrities like Payton Manning, Pamela Anderson and George Straight usually have tables in the TC. To view the races you can roam just about anywhere at the track as your ticket/armband allows access to all areas. Usually the highest priced ticket for Derby and Oaks. Extreme comfort and luxury.

Matt Wynn Room

The Matt Winn Room is a premium dining area found on the 3rd floor of the Churchill Downs Clubhouse. The Matt Winn Dining Room consists of 8 person circular tables and has a limited view of the race from behind the glass of the Interior Premium Boxes. The Matt Winn room has their own betting windows, restrooms, and access to a premium buffet and waiter service. Ticket holders of the Matt Winn dining room will also have access to the 3rd Floor Clubhouse, so you can always walk outside to view the races from the walkways in the nearby Clubhouse 315 and 316 areas.

3rd Floor Walk Abouts

“Walk-Around” tickets are a great way of getting that extra person or two into your box. If you have 7 or 8 in a group and you want a Derby Box. Just purchase a “walk around” and allow that person to share your box. Not all of your people will always be in the box and its easy to move the chairs abound to accommodate.

Millionaires Row / Sky Terrace

The seating area synonymous with the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs is Millionaires Row. So just what is Millionaires Row and what it the difference in what is listed as Sky Terrace? Until the massive 2004 construction took place at Churchill, the term Millionaires Row was just a nickname. It was not officially used on tickets or seating charts. All Seats on 4th, 5th and 6th floors were called the Sky Terrace. When they remodeled they decided to officially name the new section up there Millionaires IV (4th floor) and Millionaires VI (6th floor). What remained or the “old sections of 4th, 5th and 6th floors was labeled Sky Terrace and were identified by sections (412, 413, 613, 614 etc).

On Derby Day you’ll likely see Bo Derek, Michael Jordan, Dennis Hopper or Donald Trump in either area. Seating is at 8 seat tables where you enjoy waiter/waitress service, access to a full bar and can order form the menu. To view the races, head out to the balcony area to view. The big difference between Sky Terrace and Millionaires row are three things. 1, Millionaires Row is new, more modern, plusher more TV’s ect. 2. Millionaires Row is more like a Big Dining hall whereas the Sky Terrace is a long narrow room with two rows of tables. 3. Millionaires Row is situated more in direct view of the Finish Line where the Sky Terrace is beyond the wire.

Ticket Prices are slightly higher for Millionaires Row but both offer excellent opportunities to enjoy the festivities in grand style or to entertain guest’s clients and important customers as well. A word of note, the best seats in Millionaires Row IV and VI are the ones closest to the glass. Look for row “A” tables.

Gold Room 4th and 6th Floors - Available both on the 4th fllor and 6th floor, the Gold Room is set aside for the High Rollers at the Kentucky Derby and offers waiter service and plenty of betting options. Only the 6th floor Gold Room has access to a walk out terrace where there are no seats to watch the races. Patrons in the Gold Room have access to the same buffet offered to guests in the Millionaires Row tables and the price of admission includes both food and beverage. The seats are 4 top tables in the Gold Room. The Gold room is generally priced lower than the Millionaires Row and is often a good alternative to someone looking for the lavish VIP perks without having to spend the extra money to sit across the way in the Millionaires Row.

Kentucky Derby and Oaks Tickets and other Triple Crown Races:

More Kentucky Derby Event Information:

The Gault Haus and Kentucky Derby Parties - The Gault Haus is the offiical hotel of Churchill Downs and is located just across the Ohio River in downtown Louisville. To make your Derby experience complete, you must consider some of the Derby Parties. Horse fans from around the world gather at the Gault Hause bars including Al J's on the 4th floor. The Gault Haus does a nice job creating a fun and festive atmoshpere for race fans.

Barnstable Brown Party - The Headliner Derby Party is of course the lavish Barnstable-Brown Gala, which benefits diabetes research. This is where the stars really come out. This too is a black tie event and has been known to last well into the night. eSeats.com has a few tickets left for this so be sure to contact us for information.

To purchase Kentucky Derby Tickets, eSeats.com has an experienced staff of agents ready to serve you. We have sold Kentucky Derby Tickets to VIP clients for many years, and we have a very good range of Kentucky Derby tickets and Kentucky Derby Packages to provide you.