Churchill Downs Incorporated announces partnership with Sports Illustrated

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) announced a partnership with Churchill Downs Racetrack and Sports Illustrated.

This will include exclusive multi-year naming rights for a new dining experience at the Kentucky Derby.

Originally known as the 1895 Club， the deal sees it transformed into Club SI， which is due to relaunch on the opening night of Derby Week， 4 May 2024.

This will be part of $200m renovations undertaken by Churchill Downs at the Kentucky Derby ahead of the 150th running of the event.

According to CDI， Club SI will offer a ‘luxury equine-focused dining experience’ and views of the all-new Paddock and Paddock Runway.

Mike Anderson， President of Churchill Downs Racetrack， said: “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.

“Sports Illustrated shares our goal of combining exciting sports moments with upscale entertainment， and Club SI will provide the perfect space to achieve this.”

The interior of the restaurant will include magazine covers from Sports Illustrated and editorials from past Kentucky Derby races.

Michael Sherman， SVP Media Brands at Authentic Brands Group，slots the company that owns Sports Illustrated， said: “It is an honour 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.

“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 horseracing experience for Derby 150.”

In anticipation of the race， CDI also opened the Derby City Gaming Downtown， a Kentucky Derby-themed gaming facility， to the public.