Churchill Downs to Unveil “Club SI” for 150th Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs will have a new luxury dining experience named ‘Club SI’ after announcing a multi-year partnership between the home of the Kentucky Derby and the iconic sports magazine ahead of the historic 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024.

Originally planned as the 1895 Club, Club SI is scheduled to debut on Opening Night of Derby Week and is the latest update to come from the track which has been undergoing extensive work over the past few years. Populous and Churchill Downs unveiled a new $90 million First Turn experience in May 2023.

“As we approach the 150th Kentucky Derby, we are thrilled to partner with a brand as iconic as Sports Illustrated to offer guests an enhanced way to enjoy this incredible anniversary event,” said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Sports Illustrated shares our goal of combining exciting sports moments with upscale entertainment, and Club SI will provide the perfect space to achieve this.”

Club SI will debut as part of the $200 million renovated Paddock Project and offer a luxury equine-focused dining experience with an immersive view of the all-new Paddock and Paddock Runway. The interior design will showcase iconic Sports Illustrated magazine covers, editorial featuring past Kentucky Derby races and a sneak peek into Sports Illustrated’s new SI Resorts vertical. The club will be open on premium race days and steps from the club, guests will be treated to the SI Enclosure which will deliver a front-row experience of the Paddock with covered outdoor dining tables.

“It is an honor to bring Club SI to Churchill Downs Racetrack, which has such a rich history that we’ve showcased through the pages of Sports Illustrated for decades,” said Michael Sherman, senior vice president, media brands at Authentic Brands Group, owner of the Sports Illustrated brand. “Club SI will celebrate iconic elements of the brand, while hosting celebrity talent and offering guests gourmet cuisine and cocktails, a unique vantage point of the new Paddock and a once-in-a-lifetime horse racing experience for Derby 150.”