Ticketmaster to offer Kentucky Derby tickets

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., has reached a deal that allows Ticketmaster to offer tickets for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks and the track’s other live-racing events, the companies announced on Monday.

Ticketmaster will replace SeatAdvisor under the new deal. In a release, Churchill said it had selected Ticketmaster “because it is the leading and most reliable ticketing company and is able to meet the complexity and high demand for Kentucky Derby tickets.”

The Kentucky Derby generates more ticketing revenue than any event in racing, by a wide margin. The Derby annually attracts in excess of 150,000 people to Churchill Downs, and the Oaks has begun to consistently post attendance figures in excess of 110,000, according to figures released by Churchill Downs.

The announcement coincided with the launch of a redesigned website for the Kentucky Derby, including new areas describing the variety of seating options available for the event. Ticketmaster will process all of the transactions involving ticketing for Churchill Downs through the new website, along with transactions conducted on mobile platforms and at Ticketmaster locations.