Louisville
🏟️ Address: Churchill Downs, 700 Central Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, 40208, United States Directions in Google Maps
Churchill Downs can be accessed by private and public transport. Driving to the venue is popular due to easy access to the expressways.
Below you can find general information on travel and parking for Churchill Downs. Individual events may have additional/restricted services available, and so we recommend clicking through to the event and viewing the Travel & Parking tab for event-specific information.
When Churchill Downs was originally constructed, it sat on the outskirts of Louisville. Now that the city has grown, the venue sits in a more built-up area and, therefore, parking is either On-Site where possible or in surrounding neighbourhoods with appropriate granted access.
TARC is a public transportation provider in Louisville which operates bus routes. TARC runs to and from the racecourse. Please visit www.ridetarc.org for the latest route information.
Bus and shuttle parking will be available in the Pink Lot on racedays via the Thornberry Ave. entrance. Reserved bus and shuttle parking must be arranged in advance by contacting the Churchill Downs ticket office.
Louisville has a wealth of luxury hotels and private accommodations, as well as budget options. However, the city is relatively expensive to visit overall.
Churchill Downs has a wide range of eateries or bars for different discerning tastes, including:
Although train tracks run through Louisville, there is no passenger station in the city.
There are bicycle racks outside Jim Patterson Stadium which is just a 1.2 km (14 min) walk from the racetrack.
Churchill Downs is located close to the University of Louisville meaning that there are plenty of shopping, entertainment, and dining options nearby. Cardinal Stadium is just a 1.8 km (22 min) walk from Churchill Downs for football fans while Jim Patterson Stadium is a 1.2 km (14 min) walk away for baseball fans. For those looking for some culture, the Speed Art Museum is a 2.7 km (32 min) walk away.
For the safety of all guests and employees, bags may be searched on entry, and racegoers may be wanded by security. Purses no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”, cameras with detachable lenses, camcorders, laptop computers, and a list of other items are prohibited from the venue.
Toilets are located throughout all the enclosures. The venue has added 400 new restroom stalls in the last few years, but it is recommended you leave plenty of time to get to them as they can get busy.
Churchill Downs hosts a number of horse racing events throughout the year. It is most noted for hosting the Kentucky Derby, one of the world's most famous horse races, which takes place in spring each year.
Churchill Downs ticket prices vary depending on a number of factors including the event, the enclosure the ticket is for, and the seller. For example, tickets for the hospitality areas offering greater access around the course and dining options will be more expensive than those for Infield Admission without a reserved seat. Similarly, tickets may be more expensive at certain fixtures. Koobit compares ticket prices from primary and secondary sellers – just click through to an event and then click the Tickets tab for event-specific ticket information.
It is sometimes possible to purchase tickets at the venue, however, meetings often sell out before the day of the event, so it is advised that those wishing to attend buy their tickets in advance.
There are several parking options available around the venue which are either paid or free. Traffic around the course builds up at peak times, so early arrival is advised to avoid delays getting into the venue. See the Churchill Downs travel & parking section above for parking details and other venue travel information including public transport.
As Churchill Downs is situated in the suburbs of Louisville, there is a range of accommodation options to suit all needs and budgets. See the Churchill Downs hotels & accommodation section above to find hotels near the racecourse. You can also find additional information by clicking through to an event and then clicking the Accommodation and Destination tabs.
Gate opening times at Churchill Downs may vary by event. For some events, you can find the gate opening time on Koobit by viewing the event’s Schedule tab. Timings should also be confirmed on your tickets when you receive them.
Churchill Downs has a capacity of approximately 170,000. However, the capacity does differ between events depending on the seating configuration.
700 Central Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, 40208, United States.
