Kentucky Derby Countdown
The Kentucky Derby runs the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville — 'the fastest two minutes in sports,' and the oldest continuously held major sporting event in America. This countdown targets the next post time.
How many days until The Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 1, 2027, which is 294 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Unbroken since 1875
The Derby has been run every single year since 1875 — through two world wars, the Depression and a pandemic (2020's was postponed to September, but run). No other major American sporting event has an unbroken streak that long.
Roses, juleks and 150,000 hats
The winner is blanketed in 554 red roses, the crowd drinks nearly 120,000 mint juleps, and the infield alone holds tens of thousands. The race itself: a mile and a quarter, twenty 3-year-olds, about two minutes.
Quick facts
- Run the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs since 1875
- America's oldest continuously held major sporting event
- The winner receives a garland of 554 roses
- Roughly 120,000 mint juleps are served Derby weekend
The Kentucky Derby — frequently asked questions
When is The Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 1, 2027.
How many days until The Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 1, 2027, which is 294 days away. The live countdown above ticks down to the exact moment, to the second.
Fact-checked & updated July 2026 · alarm-clock.org