• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Kentucky Derby Arrives With $920M Churchill Downs Expansion Stalled

The Kentucky Derby will look to continue positive trends around attendance and TV ratings, but Churchill Downs has paused a major renovation project.

Michael Clevenger and Christopher Granger-Imagn Images

The biggest week in horse racing is well underway in Louisville, as Churchill Downs welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans around the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby. 

The festivities began with an opening night ceremony this past Saturday, with other events and horse races throughout the week, like the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, leading up to the main attraction Saturday. 

Attendance, revenue, and TV ratings have all been trending up in recent years for the Kentucky Derby, but Churchill Downs hit a snag last week, deciding to pause a $920 million renovation project that was just announced in February.

Churchill Downs was planning to renovate and expand two premium hospitality spaces, the Skye and Conservatory, and construct three new permanent buildings within the infield. The projects were expected to be completed in various phases, finishing ahead of the 2028 Kentucky Derby.

However, Churchill Downs cited the “increasing uncertainty surrounding construction costs related to tariff and trade disputes as well as current macro-economic conditions” in its decision to delay the projects, with no new timelines given.

Along with the delay to the $920 million renovation, Churchill Downs announced smaller renovations to its Finish Line Suites and Mansion spaces that will total $30 million and be completed in 2026.

This all comes a year after Churchill Downs debuted a $200 million paddock, which concluded a separate multiyear renovation project.

By the Numbers

Last year’s Kentucky Derby, the 150th running of the race, drew 156,710 fans to Churchill Downs, the most since 2018. NBC averaged 16.7 million viewers for its broadcast, which was its most-watched since 1989. Last year, NBC extended its Kentucky Derby media-rights deal until 2032.

Churchill Downs Incorporated, the publicly-traded company that operates the Kentucky Derby, reported record revenue of $2.7 billion in 2024, up 11% from 2023.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

IndyCar driver Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, left, celebrates winning the Detroit Grand Prix with team co-owner Dan Towriss in Detroit on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss Defends  $700 Million Apple Deal

“We’re going to have a bigger reach than what people think.”
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Second place Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) sprays champagne on winner Mercedes driver George Russell (63) at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Apple Officially Taking F1 Rights From ESPN in $700M Deal

ESPN has broadcast F1 in the U.S. since 2018.
Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; 23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

Jordan Can’t Bar Charter Sales Because NASCAR Agreed Not to Sell Charters

The contentious antitrust suit is slated to go to trial this December.

After Draft-Day Snub and Drama, Sanders to Start Preseason Opener

Multiple injuries mean Sanders gets the nod for the opening preseason game.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
January 8, 2023; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort - The Plantation Course.

PGA Tour Cancels $20M Season Opener After Moving Out of Maui

The 2026 season will now begin a week later at the Sony Open in Honolulu.
Oct 15, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; An exterior view of UBS Arena before a game between the New York Islanders
October 22, 2025

NHL Cancels Olympic Send-Off, Gives Islanders 2027 All-Star Game

Players will head to the 2026 Olympics without a mid-season NHL event.
October 22, 2025

NFL’s Goodell Stands by Bad Bunny: ‘It’s Going to Be a Great..

The commissioner is undeterred by political criticism of the halftime show choice.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
October 21, 2025

NFL Wants to Expand International Slate, Will Evaluate Saudi Arabia

The league is evaluating a mix of new and existing markets for 2026.
October 21, 2025

After Heavy Pushback, LaLiga’s Controversial Miami Match Canceled

Hard Rock Stadium was set to host Barcelona-Villarreal on Dec. 20.
October 21, 2025

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
October 21, 2025

The AWS Outage Wreaked Havoc in Sports

Ticketmaster, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Strava all had problems.