COVID limits on Kentucky Derby seating could be driving up ticket prices
If you don’t have access to tickets to this year’s Kentucky Derby and are hoping to acquire some on the secondary market, it’s going to cost you.
TicketIQ, a market that connects ticket buyers and sellers for big events, reported this week that the 2020 race is showing the most expensive Derby tickets since it began tracking data in 2011.
The average list price for 2020 Kentucky Derby tickets on the secondary market is $1,423. The least expensive ticket to this year’s race is $108 for an infield general admission spot. The most expensive is a listing for $21,925 in the Mansion Club.
This year’s race is 78% more expensive than the 2019 Derby, and 38% more expensive than the 2015 race, the second-most expensive this decade at $1,029.
The least expensive Derby was the 2017 race, which had an average list price of $717.
There is no need to turn to the secondary market just yet, unless you’re in search of a specific deal. Tickets are still available directly from Churchill Downs by visiting the KentuckyDerby.com website. The site also provides instruction about what to do if you bought Derby tickets previously and now cannot attend.
StubHub.com, another ticket marketplace, listed general admission tickets for as little as $76 up to mansion seating at $20,520. Tickets on VividSeats.com range from $80 to $18,771 for the mansion. On Ticketmaster, offers go from $75 up to $10,000.
Churchill Downs announced last week that fans would be admitted to the track for the Kentucky Derby’s 146th running, which was postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5 this year to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Under a plan approved by Gov. Andy Beshear, Churchill will conduct racing with social distancing guidelines, fans wearing masks and a smaller-than-usual crowd in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
The race normally attracts around 150,000 spectators. Churchill Downs officials did not state a projected crowd size when it released its guidelines last week but promised the following:
▪ Limited venue capacity to reduce crowd density. General admission, outdoor reserved seating, premium dining and suite access will be reduced.
▪ General admission tickets will be limited to a specified number and only grant access to the infield. No general admission will be allowed in the “front side” or paddock areas of Churchill Downs.
▪ Access throughout the facility will be severely limited and credentials for employees, media and guests will be reduced. Barn area access will be restricted to essential personnel. Guests and parties in the barn area for morning workouts and during race days will be eliminated.
The coronavirus pandemic has knocked the Triple Crown out of whack this year. The Belmont Stakes, normally the final leg, has already been run. Tiz the Law was the winner on June 20.
The Kentucky Derby, normally the first jewel of the Triple Crown, is set for Labor Day weekend. The Preakness Stakes, usually the middle event, is now the closer on Oct. 3 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.