Churchill Downs project adds premium seats ahead of Kentucky Derby

It’s not only the Paddock that has a new look for this year’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The racetrack is also unveiling a $90 million First Turn project that’s adding thousands of indoor or covered seats to the south of the grandstand.

Here's what to expect.

What is the First Turn?

The $90 million First Turn project adds more reserved and premium seating at the historic Churchill Downs racetrack. The three-story white bricked building is hard to miss on the track's south end.

There are two types of seating, both of which are all-inclusive (meaning your ticket includes food and drink).

There are 2,000 seats in the indoor 50,000-square-foot and climate-controlled First Turn Club. The long, rectangular space has high ceilings, lounge spaces and large glass windows looking out onto the track and is filled with a sea of circular tables in a communal dining area. Ticket holders in this section (Club Dining) will also have access to a reserved outdoor terrace with trackside views.

Above the indoor area are 5,100 padded stadium seats arranged on two levels, reminiscent of what you might find at a football stadium. These are open-air seats but are covered. Both levels have concourses with food and drink vendors, restrooms and betting windows.

In addition to use on race days, the First Turn section is intended for special events year-round.

Are First Turn tickets still available for Kentucky Derby 149?

There are a limited number of two-day tickets (for Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days) remaining for the First Turn Club, costing $2,624 per seat.

The reserved stadium-style seating on the upper levels is already sold out. Two-day tickets were $1,224.

What can you see from the First Turn seats?

Those at the First Turn will have views of the Twin Spires as well as the horses’ walkover from the barns to the paddock. A new video board facing the First Turn will be added to the infield, though the larger big board is still viewable.

When will this new section open?

The First Turn experience is set to debut on Thurby.

What is First Turn replacing?

The First Turn replaces a temporary seating area (Section 110 and the Vineyard Vines Club) that contained about 3,400 seats, half of which were uncovered.

The development adds a net 3,700 reserved seats, bringing the total to 7,100 all-inclusive seats.

"Continuously (guests are) looking for more covered seats, more restrooms and more food and beverage touchpoints," said Churchill Downs spokesman Darren Rogers.

What happened to the plans to build a hotel at the racetrack?

Initial work on the area where the First Turn stands are located began in fall 2019, but the plan then was to build a $300 million, seven-story hotel with 156 rooms, a gaming floor, ballroom and dining spaces. This vision also included the construction of permanent seating.

Then came COVID-19.

"When the pandemic hit ... we quickly realized that the hotel industry was probably not the greatest spending of our dollars," Rogers said.

Already-built elevator shafts were demolished and the plans pivoted to moving forward with the permanent seating experience only. Construction began in earnest following last year's Kentucky Derby.