If you want to attend, you can always get in general admission as they sell unlimited numbers of those tickets. Just show up on Derby day and you can get in for $40 per person, but this will only get you in the area behind the stands, the paddock area (if you get there early enough), and the infield. If you want an actual seat, you will have to apply a year in advance and hope you will be offered tickets, likely in one of the lesser areas like up at the head of the stretch by the starting gate. An alternative to this is to go to a ticket broker and pay a premium (usually 4-10 times face value) for the seat of your choice. You can also try to buy tickets outside the track on Derby day as some are always available, but be careful to only pay face value as scalping is illegal in Kentucky. If the police catch you, not only will the tickets be confiscated, but also the money you paid for them.
Another obstacle to attending in person is finding a place to stay in Louisville. Rooms are usually sold out by the end of February and every hotel and motel will raise the rates to at least $100 per night, most with a three night minimum. Even places as far as 50 miles away will raise the rates for Derby weekend and probably still sell out.
Parking is also a problem as most of the parking lot is reserved for VIPs and television compounds. A few parking spots are available on the track grounds, but they are sold out well in advance and horsemen have preference over fans. The grand tradition is to park in the local people’s yards and the closer to the track you get, the more you can expect to pay for that privilege. A house right across from the track will probably charge $50 to park while one a mile away will still charge at least $10. Traffic is horrible around the track with lots of one-way and no stopping zones set up for that weekend, so it is best to not even try to enter the area. You can park at the Kentucky Fairgrounds and get a shuttle to the track for $10, which is a big bargain. These shuttles have special lanes set up so they don’t have to wait in traffic and are the best way for fans to get to the Derby.
While it is quite expensive and difficult to attend the Kentucky Derby in person, it is still a dream of most racing fans. With proper planning, you can do it either in style with a reserved seat if you have the budget or as one of the many thousands of standing room only people in the infield or paddock area. Whether you plan to watch the Derby at home, at your local track, or in person, good luck with your wagers and enjoy "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports".
How it all began
Trying to pick a winner
Being there in person
