Churchill Downs announces $90M Grandstand Club and Pavilion renovation plan. What to know

Churchill Downs , the famed Louisville-based horseracing company known for hosting the Kentucky Derby , has announced a new $90 million project to be completed ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby next year.

The new project will include renovations to the existing grandstands at the track. The company said in a release the upgrades will provide updated "ticketed seating options while significantly improving and adding to the amenities available for all guests in the grandstand area."

Construction will start next month, and the project is set to be completed in time for next year's Run for the Roses, held on Saturday, May 3.

This announcement follows the massive $200 million paddock project which opened earlier this year ahead of the 150th Kentucky Derby.

“Like all of our recent enhancements at Churchill Downs, the renovation of the grandstands represents our commitment to providing unique guest seating options while honoring the historic significance of the property in order to achieve a world class sports and entertainment experience for our guests,” Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs, said in the release.

Here's what to know about the upcoming renovations at Churchill Downs:

Grandstand Club renovation at Churchill Downs

The existing outdoor aluminum bleachers in the grandstands will be upgraded into a combination of 8,300 new seating varieties. The seating options will include, "covered and uncovered stadium-style seats as well as rail boxes along the dirt track’s outer rail that will offer a 'trackside' seating experience where guests will be able to closely watch horses break from the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate," according to the release.

The renovation will also add new and permanent concessions, bar spaces and wagering windows for attendees.

Grandstand Pavilion renovation at Churchill Downs

The Grandstand Pavilion will be upgraded to an "upscale social environment" with the conversion of the existing second-floor amenity area into a covered outdoor garden boasting new bars, wagering windows and concession options.

This expansion is expected to benefit at least 2,800 guests in the existing third-floor box seats and create a better flow for guests with an outdoor balcony and added dining seating.

A new entrance to the Grandstand Pavilion will also blend with the surrounding exterior architecture.

New project builds on hundreds of millions in capital improvements

Churchill Downs Inc. has invested hundreds of millions into major capital projects at the racetrack in recent years.

A two-year, $200 million reimagining of the paddock debuted in time for Kentucky Derby 150 in May. It replaced a more simple paddock space with a multi-level structure that adds about 3,600 premium seats and more than doubles square footage and capacity within the paddock.

In 2023, the $90 million First Turn project opened to guests, adding thousands of indoor and outdoor seating options in a three-story permanent structure on the track’s south end.

The year before, the track debuted a renovated Homestretch Club , a $45 million undertaking that upgraded seating and added new a slew of hospitality spaces.

Investing in the Kentucky Derby

Over the last few years, Churchill Downs has worked to create a culture of elevated experiences at the Derby with the addition of fan experiences like the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza and through partnerships and brand engagement booths , the Courier Journal previously reported .

Churchill Downs Inc. CEO William "Bill" Carstanjen previously noted the company's 200-acre property has ample potential for continued enhancement and new attractions, such as the newly announced Grandstand and Grandstand Pavillion project.

As Churchill Downs sees the iconic track under the Twin Spires used more and more by guests and for racing, the company has emphasized projects to keep the experience fresh for visitors.

"I always think of the Kentucky Derby as the heartbeat of our company," Carstanjen previously told the Courier Journal.

Growth & Development reporter Matthew Glowicki contributed to this report. Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_ .

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Churchill Downs announces $90M Grandstand Club and Pavilion renovation plan. What to know