Every year, the world of horse racing converges on three locations, known as the Triple Crown. Those races are mid-May’s Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs, New York and the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.
The Kentucky Derby is always first on the calendar, and it’s coming up quick. Commandment (7-1) is the winner of the Florida Derby and is a major contender for the crown in Kentucky. Sovereignty, the winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, has outgrown the racket as a now-four-year-old horse.
Here’s the when and where of the 2026 edition, including the Kentucky Derby start time.
Where Is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Churchill Downs has hosted this event since 1875; this year’s event will be the 152nd iteration of the famed horse race.
When Is Derby Week?
The festivities begin at Churchill Downs the week of April 25, where the horses are assigned their starting gate for race weekend, and fans can get the opportunity to engage in activations such as VR horse racing, jockey and trainer poster signing and bow-tie stations for the whole family…