Kentucky Derby, Miami Grand Prix Make for Action-Packed Weekend
It’s an exciting weekend for sports in the U.S. Not only are the NHL and NBA both in the postseason, but the Kentucky Derby and Miami Grand Prix take place on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The 150th Kentucky Derby, coined the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” on Saturday at Churchill Downs, which recently finished $200 million in renovations. The projects were first announced in 2021.
The paddock expansion project added 7,000 square feet – the latest of the nearly $1 billion in capital improvements to Churchill Downs over the last 15 years.
Investments to Churchill Downs aren’t wasted. Paddock seating starts at $693, while standing room only and general admission starts at $275. However, on secondary market ticketsforless.com, 2-day general admission tickets to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks start at $206. For only the race on Saturday, general admission tickets start at $148. Prices for all seating options go up from there.
The prize purse for the race has grown from $3 million in 2023 – when Mage won with jockey Javier Castellan and trainer Gustavo Delgado – to $5 million. The winner receives $3.1 million of the total, a jump from $1.86 million last year.
Also taking place this weekend is Formula 1’s third-ever Miami Grand Prix.
For general admission, fans can buy a 3-Day Campus Pass with access to the F1 Sprint Race, practice, qualifying, the Grand Prix and the F1 Academy and Porsche Carrera Cup races for $450. Seats in the grandstands start at $600.
Those not attending the event can watch the main race at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday on ABC.
Last year, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race, helping him win the world title and set a new record for the most wins ever in a season.
