About Kentucky Oaks

The Kentucky Oaks is America's premier Grade I race for 3-year-old fillies, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky the Friday before the Kentucky Derby. Now in its 152nd running, the Oaks has been held without interruption since 1875, making it one of the longest-running sporting events in U.S. history. Run at 1⅛ miles on dirt with a $1.5 million purse, the winner receives the iconic "Lilies for the Fillies" garland and is celebrated as the best filly in American racing. The 2026 renewal made history as the first Kentucky Oaks ever held in prime time, with an 8:40 p.m. ET post time broadcast live on NBC and Peacock, drawing the event's largest television audience in decades. Always A Runner, trained by Chad Brown, owned by Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm, and ridden by Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd running in a time of 1:48 with a late sweeping charge, overcoming 10-1 odds and a pneumonia diagnosis the previous summer. Meaning finished second and Counting Stars third. Oaks Day is also a beloved celebration of women's health. Fans embrace the "Pink Out" tradition by wearing pink to honor breast cancer awareness, and the annual Survivors Parade sees cancer survivors and those still fighting march on Churchill Downs' historic racetrack before the main event.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kentucky Oaks

When and where is the Kentucky Oaks held?

The Kentucky Oaks is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby, historically the first Friday of May. The 2026 edition was held May 1 and was the first Oaks contested in prime time, with coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Peacock and concluding with the main event at 8:40 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Churchill Downs is located at 700 Central Avenue in Louisville and is accessible via ride-share, taxi, and shuttle services during Derby Week.

What traditions make Kentucky Oaks Day special?

Oaks Day is defined by three beloved traditions: the "Run for the Lilies," the garland of stargazer lilies draped over the winning filly, the "Pink Out," in which fans wear pink to honor breast cancer awareness, and the Survivors Parade, a moving pre-race procession of cancer survivors and those still in treatment on Churchill Downs' racetrack. A fashion contest on the Pink Carpet rewards the most creative pink ensembles, and the full day's racing card features multiple graded stakes events preceding the main event.

How does the Kentucky Oaks field qualify?

The 14 fillies with the most points earned on the Road to the Oaks qualifying series earn a spot in the starting gate. Key prep races include the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and the Santa Anita Oaks, among others. Horses are nominated to the Oaks separately from the Kentucky Derby, and the field is typically finalized in late April following late scratches and final entries.

Where can I buy cheap Kentucky Oaks tickets?

You can get cheap Kentucky Oaks tickets at TicketX. Unlike other resale sites such as StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster, where service fees may fluctuate depending on venues, ticket types, and ticket prices, TicketX has an industry-low flat fee, which makes Kentucky Oaks tickets significantly cheaper.

How much are cheap Kentucky Oaks tickets?

Kentucky Oaks tickets on TicketX are verified and have zero service fees.

Prices vary by venue and seating type.

• Cheapest ticket:
• Average price: $-
• Typical price (median): $-
• VIP & premium seats: up to $-

All tickets include a 100% Buyer Guarantee for secure and fair transactions — find cheap, last-minute, and VIP Kentucky Oaks tickets only on TicketX.

Are Kentucky Oaks tickets on TicketX legit?

Definitely. Every Kentucky Oaks ticket on TicketX is backed by our 100% Buyer Guarantee—meaning verified tickets that get you in without worry. And if you ever run into an issue, our team is ready to help.

Can I get a refund if my Kentucky Oaks event is canceled?

Yes. If a Kentucky Oaks event is officially canceled, TicketX will issue a full refund. For postponed or rescheduled shows, your ticket will usually remain valid for the new date.

Are Kentucky Oaks tickets cheaper last-minute?

Sometimes. Ticket prices for Kentucky Oaks can rise or fall closer to the event date, depending on demand, venue, city, and seat location.

On TicketX, many tickets remain available until just before showtime—perfect for last-minute buyers. Thanks to mobile ticketing, you can get your tickets delivered straight to your phone for easy access at the venue. And with no fees on top, what you see is what you pay.

When do 2026 Kentucky Oaks tickets go on sale?

Kentucky Oaks tickets for 2026 are already available on TicketX. Whether you're planning ahead or looking for last-minute seats, you can browse all upcoming events and secure your tickets with no fees and a 100% Buyer Guarantee.

How to sell Kentucky Oaks tickets?

You can list your Kentucky Oaks tickets for sale directly on TicketX. Simply log in, select your ticket, and follow the prompts to set your price. There are no seller fees, and once your ticket sells, it's delivered digitally to the buyer.

Will Kentucky Oaks tickets purchased on TicketX be seated together?

Yes. When you buy multiple Kentucky Oaks tickets on TicketX, we ensure that you'll be seated together—unless clearly stated otherwise in the listing. This means you and your group can enjoy the show side by side without worrying about getting split up.

How to get cheap Kentucky Oaks tickets?

1. To purchase Kentucky Oaks tickets on TicketX's desktop website, go to the Kentucky Oaks page or search their name in the search bar.

2. Once you're on the Kentucky Oaks page, find events near you by using the location filter.

3. To select the date that is convenient for you, we recommend using the date filters at the top right corner of the page. When you find the ideal event, click "Find Tickets" to go to the ticket listing page.

4. Ticket prices depend on the number of tickets you are looking to purchase. Please specify your desired quantity and press "Continue" in the ticket quantity pop-up. If you do not wish to specify the quantity, press "Skip."

5. To sort Kentucky Oaks tickets by the lowest price, click the price filter button in the top right corner.

6. If you have a specific budget, you can use the top left filter to set a price range by either adjusting the price sliders or manually entering your desired minimum and maximum prices.

7. Once you find your desired ticket, proceed to check out.

8. Enter or select an email address to use for receiving the tickets. Then select the desired ticket quantity and payment method. Once you complete your purchase, your Kentucky Oaks tickets will be sent to your chosen email.

How to get cheap Kentucky Oaks tickets on TicketX Mobile App?

1. Once you've downloaded the TicketX App, you must either sign up or log in to your account.

2. At the bottom of the mobile app, select the magnifying glass and search Kentucky Oaks in the search bar.

3. After you select the Kentucky Oaks page, please check the dates that are convenient for you and see if there are any events near you, then select your ideal event.

4. Once you select your desired event, you'll see a seat map and a list of all available tickets. To sort the tickets by the lowest price for Kentucky Oaks, click the price filter button in the top right corner.

5. After you pick the Kentucky Oaks tickets you want to purchase, select the number of tickets you want to purchase, and tap 'Continue.'

6. Proceed to check out.

7. Once the purchase is complete, you will receive your Kentucky Oaks tickets in your mailbox!

2026 Kentucky Oaks Event Schedule

Upcoming Kentucky Oaks Game Dates

There are currently no upcoming events for Kentucky Oaks. Please check back TicketX later for updates on upcoming Kentucky Oaks events 2026.