The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with post time scheduled for about 6:57 p.m. Eastern Time.

Quick Scoop

  • Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026.
  • Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Approximate post time: Around 6:57 p.m. ET for the main Derby race, with coverage running much earlier in the day.
  • Tradition: As usual, it falls on the first Saturday in May.

If you are planning a trip, note that Derby week events and build‑up start in the days leading up to May 2, and the Kentucky Oaks for fillies is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.