General admission tickets will be limited to a specified number and will only grant access to the infieldGETTY IMAGES
Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said that his company is "committed to making this year's Derby on Sept. 5 a safe and special experience," according to Marty Finley of LOUISVILLE BUSINESS FIRST. CDI worked out a deal with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to host the Derby in September with a "limited number of spectators in the stands, but the total number of allowed attendees has not been disclosed." General admission tickets "will be limited to a specified number and will only grant access to the infield." No general admission "will be allowed in the front side or paddock areas of the facility." However, Carstanjen said that CDI has "frozen general admission sales for now, even though the number remains under the capacity outlined by the governor." Carstanjen also said that CDI is "working with guests and sponsors who may be struggling, and some are rolling forward their tickets or contributions to the 2021 Kentucky Derby." He added that CDI is "offering refunds for those who purchased tickets in advance but no longer can or want to attend." Carstanjen said that he "doesn't believe the Derby brand will be adversely impacted by this year's event" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/30).
