“Derby” can mean a few different big events, but the two most common things people search for are the Kentucky Derby in the U.S. and the Epsom Derby in the U.K.

Main derby dates in 2026

Kentucky Derby (USA – horse racing)

  • Held every year on the first Saturday in May.
  • In 2026, that date is Saturday, May 2, 2026 , at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • The Kentucky Derby is famous as “the greatest two minutes in sports,” with a whole week of events and parties built around it.

Epsom Derby / Betfred Derby (UK – horse racing)

  • Part of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse in England.
  • In 2026, the festival runs Friday, June 5, 2026 (Ladies Day) and Saturday, June 6, 2026 (Derby Day).
  • The main Derby race itself is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026 , in the afternoon (the current schedule lists the feature Derby at around 4 p.m. local time).

Quick HTML table of key derby dates (2026)

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Event Type Location 2026 Date Notes
Kentucky Derby Horse race Churchill Downs, Louisville, USA Saturday, May 2, 2026 First Saturday in May; “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”
Epsom Derby (Betfred Derby) Horse race Epsom Downs, England Derby Day: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Part of Betfred Derby Festival (June 5–6, 2026).

Other things “derby” might mean

People sometimes mean:

  • A local football derby match (like a rivalry game), which depends on the league and schedule.
  • A city festival or regional derby (roller derby, demolition derby, etc.), which would have its own local dates.

If you tell me which derby you mean (Kentucky, Epsom, a specific football club, or something else), I can narrow it down to that exact event and timing. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.