Parking at Keeneland Race Course
Everything you need to know about parking, shuttles, ride share, and getting through the gates at Keeneland Race Course.
Meet Dates
The Fall Meet 2026 runs October 2 - 24. The Spring Meet 2027 runs April 2 - 23. The Breeders' Cup World Championships are at Keeneland on October 30 and 31, 2026. Gates and parking procedures for Breeders' Cup weekend are different from the Fall Meet. See the Breeders' Cup section below. Parking procedures may vary by meet. Always verify at keeneland.com before your visit.
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Parking Options
The Hill and Meadow Lots
FreeFree public parking. No reservation required. Complimentary shuttle to the Shuttle Depot included. Enter through Gate 1. This is the main option for most visitors.
Green Lot
Permit RequiredPermit parking, must be purchased in advance through keeneland.com. $10 Wednesdays and Thursdays, $20 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Race-day permit holders enter through Gate 2. Closer to the entrance. Limited spaces, expected to sell out. Patrons with race day tickets can pre-purchase. Morning visitors (before 10am) enter through Gate 1 and park in the lower rows, and must move by 10:30am or cars will be towed.
Accessible Parking
FreeFree, located in semipaved rows 17-21. No reservation required. Shuttle service to South Entrance. Enter Gate 1.
Bus Lot
Advance PurchaseCommercial buses only. Must be purchased in advance at keeneland.com. $50 Wednesdays and Thursdays, $75 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Bus parking between Barns 1 to 3 is limited and first come, first served. Most commercial buses are directed to the fully paved Entertainment Center Bus Lot.
Tailgating
The Hill
Keeneland's official tailgate area. Food trucks, live music by The Burl, jumbo TV for live racing, and wagering available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Open 8am to 60 minutes after the last race.
Fall 2026 Live Music on The Hill
- Fri, Oct 2, Brother Smith
- Sat, Oct 3, Sydney Adams
- Sun, Oct 4, Rough Riders
- Fri, Oct 9, Thunderwood
- Sat, Oct 10, Hancock & Shouse
- Sun, Oct 11, Zeb South & The Kentucky Hotheads
- Fri, Oct 16, South on 75
- Sat, Oct 17, Marble Creek Rangers
- Sun, Oct 18, Mashgrass
- Fri, Oct 23, Colin Michael's Bird Dog Band
- Sat, Oct 24, Moonlight Mile
The Meadow
Also allows tailgating with the same rules but no live music or amenities.
Permitted
Tables, chairs, contained gas grills, 10x10 pop-up tents (Hill and Meadow only, no tents in paved lots).
Prohibited
Open flame charcoal, wood fire or fire pits, open bars or kegs, balloons or inflatables, flags or signage taller than 8ft, live music (except The Hill's scheduled performances).
Lexington police actively patrol on race days. Underage drinking strictly enforced. Saving parking spaces is prohibited.
Taking an Uber or Lyft?
Uber, Lyft, taxis, personal pick-ups and private car services are directed to the Ride Share area adjacent to the Shuttle Depot. There is NO vehicular access to the North, South or East Entrances for drop-off or pick-up. Enter through Gate 1.
Shuttle Service
The Shuttle Depot has moved for the Fall Meet. For the 2026 Fall Meet the Shuttle Depot is temporarily located beneath Barns 1 to 3 because of Breeders' Cup 2026. Shuttles from The Hill and The Meadow still drop off there, and Guest Services directs you to the nearest entrance. Keeneland asks you to allow a few extra minutes for the walk.
Complimentary shuttles run from The Hill and Meadow lots to the Shuttle Depot. Golf cart shuttles available for mobility assistance, picking up and dropping off at the South Entrance.
Entry Tips
- •Gates open at 11am, first post at 1pm.
- •Grounds open for morning workouts 7am-10am. All visitors must leave by 10am.
- •Download tickets to your phone rather than printing, for faster scanning at gates.
- •Do NOT screenshot your ticket. It won't scan.
- •Metal detectors at all entrances. No firearms or weapons.
- •Buy tickets in advance. Keeneland caps attendance and takes no cash at the gates.
- •Starting this fall, Keeneland's public dining rooms, The Keeneland Shop and roaming beverage vendors are cashless and take credit cards, debit cards and mobile payments. Cash is still accepted at the Track Kitchen, mutuel windows, concessions, bars and program stands.
Breeders' Cup Parking, October 30 to 31, 2026
Parking works differently on Breeders' Cup weekend. Advance purchase is required for every parking option, and no parking passes are sold on site on event days. Every shuttle below keeps running for up to 90 minutes after the last race each day.
| Eastern Time | Fri, Oct 30 | Sat, Oct 31 |
|---|---|---|
| Parking opens | 9:00 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. |
| Admission opens | 9:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. |
| First post | 11:55 a.m. | 11:15 a.m. |
| First Breeders' Cup race | 2:55 p.m. | 1:10 p.m. |
The Hill
Advance PurchaseOn-site grass parking both days. A free shuttle runs between The Hill and the public shuttle drop-off outside the admission gates, and mobility assistance is available. One pass per vehicle, and passes are digital.
$55 Fri, $85 Sat, $140 both days
Blue Grass Airport Park and Ride
Advance PurchasePark at Blue Grass Airport and ride a free shuttle to Keeneland, about 5 to 7 minutes each way. Walking from the lot to the track is not permitted. The first shuttle leaves the lot at 9:15 a.m. Friday and 8:45 a.m. Saturday. Grass and paved parking, with mobility assistance available. One pass per vehicle, and passes are digital.
$40 Fri, $60 Sat, $100 both days
Downtown Shuttle
Advance PurchaseRound-trip shuttle between downtown Lexington and Keeneland, about 20 minutes each way. Shuttles leave from West Short Street near North Upper Street, starting at 9:00 a.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Every rider needs a digital shuttle pass and a Breeders' Cup ticket, and there are no on-site sales. Some downtown hotels and restaurants offer a shuttle discount, so ask where you are staying or dining.
You park downtown on your own. The shuttle stop is a block from the 350 West Short Garage, and our downtown parking guide covers the garages near it.
$20 Fri, $40 Sat, $60 both days (per person)
Rideshare
Uber, Lyft, taxis and other rideshare services use a dedicated rideshare lot reached through Gate 1, at Versailles Road and Man O' War Boulevard.
Accessible Parking
ADA parking is on site and requires a pre-paid ADA parking pass plus either a valid ADA hangtag on the rearview mirror or a state-issued ADA license plate. Both must be displayed so attendants can direct you to the ADA areas. Buy the pass through Breeders' Cup Ticketing at (859) 514-9428 or tickets@breederscup.com. Physical ADA passes are mailed in early October.
For tickets, dress, and the rest of the weekend, read our Breeders' Cup 2026 guide.
Breeders' Cup sets its own parking rules for this event. Verify every detail at breederscup.com before you go.
2026 Fall Meet Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Wed/Thu | Fri/Sat/Sun | Opening Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | $7 | $10 | $15 |
| Reserved Grandstand | $15 | $25 | $30 |
| Loge Box fall 2026 only | $15 | $25 | $30 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking free at Keeneland?
Yes, free public parking is available in The Hill and Meadow lots with complimentary shuttle service. Closer permit parking in the Green Lot requires advance purchase. The exception is Breeders' Cup weekend, October 30 to 31, 2026, when every parking option is advance purchase only and nothing is sold on site.
How does parking work for the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland?
Every parking option for the Breeders' Cup on October 30 to 31, 2026 is advance purchase only, and nothing is sold on site. The Hill offers on-site grass parking with a free shuttle to the admission gates. Blue Grass Airport Park and Ride includes a free 5 to 7 minute shuttle, and a paid Downtown Shuttle leaves from West Short Street near North Upper Street. All shuttles run for up to 90 minutes after the last race each day.
How do I get to Keeneland from downtown Lexington?
Keeneland is located at 4201 Versailles Road, about 10 minutes from downtown Lexington via US-60 West. On race days, Versailles Road backs up well before first post, so check our Lexington traffic cameras to see current conditions before you head out.
Can I take Uber or Lyft to Keeneland?
Yes. Ride share drop-off and pick-up is at the Ride Share area adjacent to the Shuttle Depot. Drivers cannot access the North, South or East entrances.
What time do Keeneland gates open?
Gates open at 11am with first post at 1pm. Morning workout viewing is 7-10am but all visitors must leave by 10am before gates reopen.
What is the dress code at Keeneland?
General admission is casual. Denim is permitted. Upper dining rooms require business casual or business formal. Check keeneland.com for full dress code details.
Can I tailgate at Keeneland?
Yes. Tailgating is permitted in The Hill and The Meadow lots. 10x10 pop-up tents are allowed within your parking space. Contained gas grills are permitted. Open flame, kegs, and live music are prohibited. Premium tailgating packages for groups of 10-750 are available through RevelXP.
Can I bring my dog to Keeneland?
Dogs are permitted but must remain on a leash at all times and cannot be left unattended.
Parking information from Keeneland. Verify current procedures at keeneland.com before your visit.