Churchill Downs pre-game 'tailgating' - Ques from Clemson fan

[99 WYATT]

Coming to Louisville for the first time. Our group has vague plans to go to Churchill Downs before the game to 'tailgate' (I know cars are not actually allowed inside).
Generally speaking, how does the pre-game scene at Churchill work?
You pay to walk into the infield? What if anything are you allowed to bring in with you? What are the hours you can be there? (I imagine the horse races will be over well before we head over for an 8pm game.)
Thanks!!

 

[Steelers2012]

Coming to Louisville for the first time. Our group has vague plans to go to Churchill Downs before the game to 'tailgate' (I know cars are not actually allowed inside).
Generally speaking, how does the pre-game scene at Churchill work?
You pay to walk into the infield? What if anything are you allowed to bring in with you? What are the hours you can be there? (I imagine the horse races will be over well before we head over for an 8pm game.)
Thanks!!

Here ya go.
https://www.churchilldowns.com

 

[99 WYATT]

Here ya go.
https://www.churchilldowns.com

Yeah, tried that. It is good for info about the Derby. Churchill was recommended as a good game day location and there is nothing about that on the website that I saw.

Thanks for the helpful feedback and a good first impression of a home Louisville fan. (The ones I met at Clemson last year came across differently.) If you ever come to Clemson, I hope the locals provide you with useful information.

 

[Hold Me Back]

The first race on Saturday is at 12:45 and the last race of the day, race 11, will be at 5:50. Admission is typically $3 and there is a huge parking lot located off Longfield Avenue (Gate 10) that won't be even half full. While you can't set up a typical tailgate there with a tent, grill, etc. I can't imagine the fine folks over at Churchill would have any issues with a smaller tailgate; i.e. a few lawn chairs and a cooler. It is less than a mile from the stadium, so you could leave your car there and walk over if you wanted to. Just be advised if you do park in Gate 10 at Churchill they will lock the gate to the lot a couple hours after the races are over and you won't be able to get to it until they open it up again at 11 on Sunday morning. Probably a good thing, my vehicle has spent many a night in the parking lot of Gate 10 when I'm in no shape to drive!

 

[ULoverUK]

FYI you won't be able to get into the infield. That's only open for the Ky Derby and Oaks and maybe 1 or 2 other anticipated heavily attended races. You'll only have access to the main grandstands.

 

[Steelers2012]

Yeah, tried that. It is good for info about the Derby. Churchill was recommended as a good game day location and there is nothing about that on the website that I saw.

Thanks for the helpful feedback and a good first impression of a home Louisville fan. (The ones I met at Clemson last year came across differently.) If you ever come to Clemson, I hope the locals provide you with useful information.

WTH? What's with the attitude? That link shows that Churchhill is racing on Saturday. Yes, it's open for the more than just the Derby. It also has race times for Saturday. It also provides rates for entry. It also has a parking diagram.

 

[99 WYATT]

WTH? What's with the attitude? That link shows that Churchhill is racing on Saturday. Yes, it's open for the more than just the Derby. It also has race times for Saturday. It also provides rates for entry. It also has a parking diagram.

I had already searched that site thoroughly and googled many different terms, but I could not find a good description of the basics of how it worked when you go there. I interpreted you telling me to do the obvious as sarcasm on your part. If that was not your intent, I apologize for the attitude. Thanks.

 

[99 WYATT]

The first race on Saturday is at 12:45 and the last race of the day, race 11, will be at 5:50. Admission is typically $3 and there is a huge parking lot located off Longfield Avenue (Gate 10) that won't be even half full. While you can't set up a typical tailgate there with a tent, grill, etc. I can't imagine the fine folks over at Churchill would have any issues with a smaller tailgate; i.e. a few lawn chairs and a cooler. It is less than a mile from the stadium, so you could leave your car there and walk over if you wanted to. Just be advised if you do park in Gate 10 at Churchill they will lock the gate to the lot a couple hours after the races are over and you won't be able to get to it until they open it up again at 11 on Sunday morning. Probably a good thing, my vehicle has spent many a night in the parking lot of Gate 10 when I'm in no shape to drive!

Thanks for the help!

 

[99 WYATT]

FYI you won't be able to get into the infield. That's only open for the Ky Derby and Oaks and maybe 1 or 2 other anticipated heavily attended races. You'll only have access to the main grandstands.

Thank you.

 

[Steelers2012]

I had already searched that site thoroughly and googled many different terms, but I could not find a good description of the basics of how it worked when you go there. I interpreted you telling me to do the obvious as sarcasm on your part. If that was not your intent, I apologize for the attitude. Thanks.

Nope...just a genuine attempt to provide relevant info to a visiting fan. I think you will find that Louisville fans are quite helpful and welcoming.

 

[99 WYATT]

Nope...just a genuine attempt to provide relevant info to a visiting fan. I think you will find that Louisville fans are quite helpful and welcoming.

Thanks again. Have a great day.

 

[earsky]

Yeah,no infield,but I remember seeing large groups of Tiger fans at Churchill 2 years ago.I would follow the crowd or look into what's what with some of your fans going again.

 

[valley St. Card]

Or seriously, you could just park over by Churchill and head to the Green, Bronze and Red lots. Carry a case of beer with you.(there is a liquor store between Churchill and Papa Johns) CARDS fans are quite generous with their bourbon and their food. Enjoy!

 

[whatdotigersdreamof]

Visiting fan here. Where could you actually set up a tailgate tent within walking distance to both the stadium and the track ?

Or seriously, you could just park over by Churchill and head to the Green, Bronze and Red lots. Carry a case of beer with you.(there is a liquor store between Churchill and Papa Johns) CARDS fans are quite generous with their bourbon and their food. Enjoy!

 

[rockycard]

Visiting fan here. Where could you actually set up a tailgate tent within walking distance to both the stadium and the track ?

There's a boyscout lot that is right in between Churchill and the stadium, always has a mixture of Louisville and visiting fans.

 

[Rollem Cards]

There's a boyscout lot that is right in between Churchill and the stadium, always has a mixture of Louisville and visiting fans.

Between 3rd and 4th Streets on Central Ave.

 

[eastwood45789]

If you're looking for a local tailgate before the game, I would suggest the Red Rage tailgate or the Rick and Jeff tailgate.

 

[whatdotigersdreamof]

Between 3rd and 4th Streets on Central Ave.

Awesome thanks guys !

 

[eastwood45789]

I didn't see the red trailer there any more so I hope they didn't quit.

 

[Senore2006]

The red trailer is gone but you can't miss the big tree.

 

[eastwood45789]

Stopped by a few tailgates yesterday. It seemed like the one at the boy scout lot didn't have as many as people as in the past. Maybe it was the missing red trailer or they were else where.