Churchill Downs Incorporated Reveals Grandstand Club and Pavilion Renovation Plan

If you have never been to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, and you decide to make your first trip for the event in 2025, there will be some renovations that will be worth checking out!

Here is the release from Churchill Downs Inc. that was sent out July 24.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “the Company”) announced today an $80-$90 million renovation to the existing grandstand at Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”) that will update ticketed seating options while significantly improving and adding to the amenities available for all guests in the grandstand area. Construction on the Grandstand Club and Pavilion is scheduled to begin in August with completion planned in time for the 151^st Kentucky Derby in May 2025.

The renovation of the Grandstand Club will transform existing outdoor aluminum bleachers into a combination of 8,300 new comfortable seating varieties.  Updated seating options will include covered and uncovered stadium-style seats as well as rail boxes along the dirt track’s outer rail that will offer a “trackside” seating experience where guests will be able to closely watch horses break from the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate. First-floor amenities for the Grandstand Club will include new and upgraded permanent concessions, bars and wagering windows.

The project will also considerably improve and add amenities for 2,800 guests in the existing third floor box seats under the Starting Gate Suites. The Grandstand Pavilion will create a more upscale social environment by converting the existing second-floor amenity area into a covered outdoor garden environment with new concessions, bars and wagering windows. Expansion to the second floor will create additional space for overall guest circulation and add an outdoor balcony for added dining seats. A new stately entrance to the Grandstand Pavilion will unify the surrounding exterior architecture.

“Like all of our recent enhancements at Churchill Downs, the renovation of the grandstands represents our commitment to providing unique guest seating options while honoring the historic significance of the property in order to achieve a world class sports and entertainment experience for our guests,” said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs.

For more information on purchasing options for the Grandstand Club and Pavilion, sign up for the online sale at KentuckyDerby.com or call (502) 636-4447 for additional purchasing options including personal seat licenses.