Churchill Downs Partners with Sports Illustrated to Unveil ‘Club SI’

Churchill Downs Racetrack has announced a multi-year partnership with Sports Illustrated for exclusive naming rights of a new luxury dining experience, Club SI, ahead of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4. Originally named the 1895 Club, Club SI will debut on Opening Night of Derby Week and allow fans to enjoy the excitement of the Run for the Roses.

Set on the west side of the $200 million renovated Paddock at Churchill Downs, which will debut for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby, Club SI will offer a new equine-focused dining experience offering an immersive view of the all-new Paddock and Paddock Runway, giving guests behind-the-scenes experiences. The interior design of Club SI will showcase 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 include dining tables to accommodate parties of two, four, six or eight guests who will enjoy gourmet dishes from the curated Chef's Table Buffet, designated wagering windows, private bars and outdoor trackside viewing for live races. 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 to accommodate parties of four.

"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," says Mike Anderson, president, 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."

"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," says Michael Sherman, senior vice president, media brands, 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."