Churchill Downs Incorporated has outlined changes to its 2026 Spring Meet and Kentucky Derby Week schedule, extending the racing calendar and introducing new programming elements around the sport’s most high-profile event.
The 152nd Spring Meet at Churchill Downs Racetrack will span nine weeks from April 25 through June 28, featuring 44 racing days.
Derby Week will run from April 25 to May 2, beginning earlier in the week than in previous years and incorporating additional on-track and fan-focused activities.
Derby Week will open on April 25 with post-position draws for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, marking the formal start of the meet.
Racing will take place on Sunday, April 26, representing the first Sunday of Derby Week racing since 2010, alongside food and hospitality offerings positioned around the track.
Additional events scheduled throughout the week include morning training sessions for Oaks and Derby contenders during “Dawn at the Downs,” community-focused programming on 502’sDay and Winsday events highlighting local charitable organizations. Thurby will return on April 30, maintaining its role as a high-attendance racing and hospitality day ahead of Oaks and Derby weekend.
A notable change to the schedule will see the 152nd Kentucky Oaks staged in a prime-time window for the first time. The race will be held between 8 and 9 p.m. ET on May 1 and broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The Oaks will carry a $1.5m purse and feature three-year-old fillies competing over a traditional Derby Week program centered on fashion and women’s health initiatives.
The 152nd Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 2, offering a $5m purse for the 1¼-mile race that opens the Triple Crown series.
Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said: “We are looking forward to a thrilling, fun-filled week of racing that will culminate with the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2.”
Carstanjen added: “The extended schedule and return of Sunday racing will once again deliver an iconic week of racing for our guests and our fans watching on NBC.”
The schedule announcement follows Churchill Downs’ confirmation that it will open Marshall Yards Racing & Gaming in Kentucky in February 2026, expanding its historical racing footprint while supporting purse funding across regional race meets.
Churchill Downs recently extended its sportsbook technology partnership with Kambi, expanding wagering capabilities across additional horse racing entertainment venues
