Horsepower: Average Ticket Prices for Kentucky Derby & Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix
This weekend, the Kentucky Derby and the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix are colliding on the calendar, creating a mix of horsepower, hats, and high stakes. But beyond the pageantry and pit stops, there’s another competition playing out: ticket prices. From Churchill Downs to the Miami International Autodrome, average ticket prices (ATP) are telling a story of shifting fan demand. Here’s a look at ATP trends over the past three years and how these events are navigating fan demand.
Kentucky Derby
The 2024 Kentucky Derby wasn’t just any race — it was the 150th running. That prestige carried a price: ATP skyrocketed 116% from $302.46 in 2023 to $652.20 in 2024. Fans were clearly willing to splurge on a once-in-a-generation moment. But in 2025, with the fanfare dialed back, so were the prices. ATP fell to $393.76, a 40% drop year-over-year. The sharp correction doesn’t signal a decline in interest — just a return to earth after a highly commemorative (and costly) year.
F1: Miami Grand Prix
Since its Miami debut in 2022, the Formula 1 Grand Prix continues to evolve into a more established stop on the F1 calendar. The hype in 2022 carried over into 2023, with Sunday ATP peaking at $726.22 for just the second-ever race there. But by 2024, the shine had started to fade, and prices dropped 26% to $534.80.
Now in its fourth year, the 2025 race shows signs of stabilization and renewed energy. Sunday ticket prices are settling, only increasing by 2% to $543.73, a healthy sign that the market has found its footing.
- Friday (Practice): ATP rose 2% in 2024 to $83.96, before decreasing 9% to $76.55 in 2025. Fans may be reserving their dollars for more high-stakes action later in the weekend.
- Saturday (Qualifying): A slight rise to $240.81 in 2024 (+6%) was followed by a 1% dip to $238.97 in 2025, pointing to relatively stable demand for mid-tier action.
- Sunday (Race Day): ATP plunged 26% from $726.22 in 2023 to $534.80 in 2024, before ticking up 2% to $543.73 in 2025. After early hype and high prices in its first years, 2025’s modest rebound suggests growing equilibrium in the market.
Together the numbers show a market that’s maturing and holding steady, especially as Miami cements itself as a fixture on the F1 calendar. Fans now understand the value of each day — and are buying accordingly.
Final Lap
From the thundering hooves at Churchill Downs to the roar of engines in Miami, this weekend brings two very different flavors of spectacle — and some telling insights into what fans are willing to pay for. The Derby rode a historic wave in 2024 before easing up, while Miami’s still fine-tuning its pace. One thing’s for sure: no matter the track, ticket trends tell a deeper story of tradition, timing, and turbocharged demand.
