You’ve finally decided to cross off a bucket list item and are ready to head out to Churchill Downs to watch the Kentucky Derby, but you encounter a roadblock when you try to determine which type of ticket to buy — grandstand or infield. Unlike other major sporting events such as the World Series and the Super Bowl, where even the cheapest tickets go for hundreds or potentially thousands of dollars, the Kentucky Derby has ticket options that are more reasonable for the average consumer.
The main difference between the grandstand and infield seating at the Kentucky Derby is the location and the corresponding benefits you receive, which are reflected in the pricing. In a typical year where there are no seating restrictions due to Covid, tickets in the infield at the Kentucky Derby will cost about $75-85. While certainly more expensive than the nosebleeds at your local stadium, the pricing is relatively low for an event that is so commonly associated with the rich and famous.
The downside of infield seating is that your view of the race may be obscured by all the people in front of you watching as well. You will likely only catch a glimpse of the horse’s legs through a sea of bodies, but you will be close to the action and in an incredible atmosphere. In the infield, there are no assigned seats or chairs to sit in, as you are either standing on the grass or sitting down on the grass. You are allowed to bring in small lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. It is similar to the grassy outfield seating of the Little League World Series, and people in the infield love to have fun.
The other seating area is the grandstand, which is the more luxurious, but expensive, option. With the grandstand, you are reserved a specific seat and have a much better view of the track. The grandstand is the area where you are expected to dress up with fancy hats or colorful jackets and is where the NBC cameras will constantly pan to throughout its pre-race coverage. There is a wide range of prices for tickets in the grandstand, but these tickets typically start at a minimum of $300 and can range up to $2,000 per ticket.
Within the grandstand itself, there are rows of bleacher seats where there is no specified chair, and then there are stadium style seats where each spot is assigned. Grandstand tickets typically will sell out and need to be bought in advance, but in a typical year, infield seats can often be bought up to the day of the KentuckyDerby itself. Another plus of the grandstand is that this year the food and drink will be included, and there are few things worse than stadium prices when it comes to food and drinks.
Keep in mind when making your budget that if you are planning to visit the Kentucky Derby, you are also likely to end up betting on horse races. Prior to the Derby, which is scheduled to start at 6:50pm EST, there are many other races that take place during the day at Churchill Downs. Experiencing the Saturday of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is an all-day affair — and a memory that you will never forget.
Photo Credit: Google Creative Common Licenses, Kentucky Derby Instagram
