Kentucky Derby Tickets

The Kentucky Derby is unlike anything other event in the world! The city comes alive and electric!

The event was handled very poorly IMO. We had infield tickets. The lines for food/beverages/restrooms/wagering were obscene. Concessions ran out of cups and bottled water around race 10. The Derby itself wasn't until race 12 and there were 3 races after that. Exiting was a nightmare. It took us 3 1/2 hours to go 15 miles. They would only allow people to exit two different ways. Therefore there were tens of thousands of people going each of the two ways. There were barricades along Central for miles so there was no way for you to even walk away from Churchill to meet a rideshare or your ride. Only buses were allowed over the bridge as well. The routing of traffic made absolutely no logical sense. I am fully aware of the huge amount of people at the event, however I have been to many large events such as Superbowls and I've never experienced this level of incompetence in planning. I have no intention of ever returning unless these issues are addressed.

The infield was overpriced, overcrowded, and underserved by staff. Lines were long (45+ minutes to order a drink or place a bet), even hours before the Derby race. Ordering food was impossible: the lines were well over an hour wait. None of the bathroom doors would lock, so you needed to bring a friend with you. Overall, a poor experience.

First visit, the derby is I’ll prepared for the infield, 2 hours wait to get a beer. 1 hour wait for the bathroom, almost 2 hour wait to bet. Never again. Ever. Oh. And I never got a beer , nor did I get to the restroom. Gave up on both, and left 2 hours before the main event. Disappointed.

Things at the Derby that need to be improved: Derby website said free parking at Cardinal Stadium-that wasn't true, we had to pay $30. Have at least 1 "heavy beer". Not everyone drinks light beer or Mint Juleps, & have these choices at more vendor tents. Lines for betting windows were way too long. Need more workers there. Leaving from the infield is downright dangerous! People are corralled like cattle to only 1 opening & then through a tunnel also. Ridiculous! Need multiple exits!!

Was a fun day. Need to improve bathroom situation at infield and control the people leaving after the race in an organized fashion. Waited an hour for restroom that needed TLC and almost an hour to leave.

You couldn’t see the track, couldn’t get a bet in. Not enough facilities to use for the amount of people there. Disgusting dirty! Left after the 45 minute bathroom line. Went to the nearby gaming hall to watch the races.

This was my first time attending Kentucky Derby and also the experience of being in-field with the crowds. It is very packed. Endless long lines for drinks, food, ATMs, and even the Bet/Wager area too. It is hard to find a spot to sit and watch on the screen but there weren't any problems with it. It was a little tad tricky to find them after getting food, drinks, etc. But this is a really fun experience!

I got infield GA tickets and they didn’t disappoint for the price!! I wish they would still let you inside Churchill to see it, but keeping the GA separated takes away from the experience especially if it’s your first time. Everything was very spread out and organized, and that was super helpful. Never had to walk to far for food, drinks, or bathrooms. For the amount of people the bathrooms were surprisingly clean and stocked. Only thing that I can say was a negative is the leaving part. It was a nightmare, definitely took me longer to leave the derby then it has at any other event I’ve been to…concerts, festivals, etc….

This was an horrible experience! Never go to the Kentucky Derby unless you buy a $2000 ticket! The only horse that I saw was a police horse. We took a limo there and still had to walk 30 minutes to get in. There were not enough bathrooms or drink and food vendors. This year you couldn't go in to see the museum or the horses. I could go on...save your money and watch it on TV.

Due to vehicle issues I wasn't able to attend the Derby, I paid the insurance, I've tried filling a INS claim but I had to skip the document part I e tried to add my document but it won't let me, it says a claim has already been filled hopefully it won't take up to the 30 days for my reimbursement, but I can't talk to anyone at ticket master I wish they'd contact me in regards to my claim

Had a great time at the Derby infield! Only complaint is the amount of underage drinking taking place in the infield.

Had infield tickets, was expecting a party, but not the filth or entitlement. Standing in line to bet was a nightmare, constant line cutting, young adults calling their friends who would then come cut in line. Basically had to do the same just to be able to bet. Would be nice if they hired people to monitor it. Seemed to be a trend with the young adults, pretending they were sick to jump the bathroom line. No one pukes in a porta potty. Wanted to buy a drink, but lines and line jumping prevented me from spending my money there. The filth was astonishing, food, cups, programs, plastic was all just thrown on the ground. Even leaving it was all over the ground. I would never buy an infield ticket again, I would fork out the dough for seats if I ever returned. The plus side was learning how to bet on the horses.

My boyfriend and I planned to do bourbon tasting and then scheduled it around KY Derby because neither of us had been. Good choice! We got there around 10am and it got really crwded toward the later races. Bring lawns chairs or seats cushions for GA seating. That's what we were missing! If you're betting download and app ahead of time and research the horses, types of bets and pick a certain amount of $ so you don't go overboard. We basically earned back what we spent that day and we didn't lose $ either so that's a win!! Dress up if you can and bring cash:)

The whole experience was great! The only thing no one told us before hand was that it was cash only for about 90% of everything. It would have been nice to have known this at the POS.

The race day events were lot of fun to watch. I would definitely go back now that I know what to bring. Camping chair, snacks, comfortable shoes. The bad part is getting there and back from the hotel. We spent around $200 for transportation and we stayed at Hampton Inn New Albany. The drinks are $17 small but delicious. There are plenty of bathrooms. Instead of an Adult Venue this place is over run with annoying and loud College Students or young residents of Louisville. Get there early and claim a nice area by the Big Screen.

Infield ticket no longer allows access to front track and paddock. A bottle of water is 5.00 a beer is 12.00( regular can) seltzer is 14.00 and a mint julep is 17.00 in a small cup. Cash only was not clear on website. Lines for ATM were hours long. Bathrooms quit flushing early in day. You would think with all the money grabbing Churchill Downs is doing they would at least update the 1950 bathrooms and give us hot water to wash our hands with. Greedy and all about the money and the rich people.sad really…I have been going to the infield since 1980’s and it has become ridiculous how we are viewed and treated by CD. Squeezed us to backside of infield limited viewing of the races. And I CAN afford to pay to be in the track I choose to be free and relaxed in the infield but this is getting ridiculous.

This was my 4th Derby. Last one was in 2019. At that time, I only had a ticket to the Infield, yet I could access the paddock area and go under the tunnel to the front side. This year I could not and I was extremely disappointed as I brought 2 people with me who had never been to the Derby and they couldn't experience Churchill Downs as a whole. We still had a great time, but I really wish they allow all people to experience the paddock and front side.

At the beginning of the Churchill Down experience was wonderful. The Beautiful Hats and energy of watching the horses on the track were fabulous. Towards the end it was like a drunken frat party. Trash filled the stands people were passed out and throwing up in public. The bathrooms were filthy with over flowing toilets. Very disappointed to have paid hundreds of dollars for seats and people stood up at the rail and isle blocking entire view of the track.

If you never went to a Fraternity or Sorority party, here is your chance. The Infield at Churchill Downs is the largest party ever held. Watching the race is secondary to eating and drinking and people watching.