Kentucky Derby Ticket Information - Churchill Downs

Covered or Not Covered - Good to know if it rains

Sections 111-113 are seats with no cover

Sections 114-117 are seats and rows G & up are under cover

Sections 118 are seats and rows I & up are under cover

Section 119 CH are all seats and All Open

Sections 119-128 Bleacher Seating All Open

Section 212 Seats all under cover

Section 218 Seats all under cover

Sections 219-220 are seats Rows C & up are under cover

Sections 221-225 are seats Rows K & up are under cover

Sections 312 - 325 Seats Row C is partially covered, D & higher covered

In the first floor Clubhouse sections 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 seats, chair back boxes. Remember, if you have grandstand seats, you cannot move over to the clubhouse.

More details about the different Churchill Downs sections:

First Floor Clubhouse Seats (sections 111-118) - Most all are 6 seat Boxes with folding chair back seats.  The crowd in the First floor clubhouse area is very festive as you are 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. With comfortable folding chair back seats. Same type set up as clubhouse 3rd floor boxes except you are in the grandstand. The real difference is that the amenities are just not as “nice” and or plentiful. Third floor grandstand seats are a good value for your money because they give you a full view of the track. Rows C and higher are under cover. You might also want to consider purchasing Marquis Village or other type of hospitality to accompany your tickets as a great way to enjoy the day.

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 sections 316 and 317. Third floor clubhouse sections are all 8 seat boxes and 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.  Consider one of the many hospitality options such as the Kentucky Derby Museum, Jockey Club Lounge or the Marquis Village to accompany your order.

Turf Club - The Turf Club is a spacious private “club” for members only, but of course if you have a ticket on Derby or Oaks day, you will find yourself in the middle of the most sought after location at the Kentucky Derby.  The Turf Club in my opinion is even more fun and lively than either of the Millionaires rows which can be a bit more pretentious in atmosphere.  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. 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. The Turf club is the “it” location offering the finest in service and comfort.

3rd Floor Walk about passes – The “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 it’s easy to move the chairs abound to accommodate.  If you go with this option, we strongly recommend adding a hospitality option such as the Jockey Club, Museum or the Marquis Village as this will give you a nice option for resting and enjoying some great food.

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). 

Millionaires Row Tickets - Available on the 4th and 6th floors, the Millionaires row is new, more modern dining room situated in direct view of the Finish Line.   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 but all the rows in the Millionaires Row are fine.  No matter what row you get you'll still have to get up to view the track or walk outside onto the Terrace.  There are no seats on the terrace, but lots of people just take a seat on one of the big steps and enjoy the view.

Gold Rooms on the 4th and 6th Floors - Available both on the 4th floor 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.

Marquis Village - A popular add on option for our customers has been the Marquis Village Hospitality area located just behind section 111. The Marquis Village is a private area which features a large a sumptuous buffet with a premium bar. You can also enjoy watching the lead up races on their closed circuit TV monitors. We recommend the Marquis Village to all of our clients and if you're not sitting in the Club House areas or the Millionaire Terrace, you might consider this too.

The Kentucky Derby Museum Hospitality - Located just behind section 124, the Kentucky Derby Museum is closed on Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days except for private receptions.  Inside you will find exhaustive displays showing every aspect of the Kentucky Derby across the 134 + years.  Hospitality is offered through eSeats.com for our customers attending both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.  The hospitality is a great alternative to the Clubhouse Hospitality for Marquee Village tents. You will come back with much more insight and education about the Kentucky Derby and will love the lavish buffet set up.  We can accommodate groups up to 250 persons.  The Kentucky Derby Option is a great choice for those individuals sitting in the Lower Grandstand, Upper Grandstand or Clubhouse sections who do not have hospitality included with their tickets.

Jockey Club Hospitality - Located just behind Clubhouse Section 318 on the 3rd Floor, the Secretariat Lounge offers a hearty buffet along with a convenience of the best seats in the house just a few seconds away.  Waging and TV screens surround you and the staff is really very friendly.   The Jockey Club Hospitality is a great fit for guests sitting in the 3rd Floor Clubhouse sections interested in adding a Hospitality element to their ticket.  In addition to, the Jockey Club Hospitality is also preferred for the convenience of not having to leave the building to walk over to the Marquis Village.

More Kentucky Derby Event Information:

The Gault Haus and Kentucky Derby Parties - The Gault Haus is the official hotel of Churchill Downs and is located just across the Ohio River in downtown Louisville. To complete your Derby experience, 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 atmosphere 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.