The 2026 Kentucky Derby kicks off with early crowds and a wave of celebrity arrivals at Churchill Downs.
Fans and VIPs step onto the grounds in bold fashion, setting the scene as one of the year’s biggest sporting events gets underway.
Here are some of the standout looks and high‑profile names spotted at the first leg of this year’s Triple Crown.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: (L-R) Michael Turchin and Lance Bass attend the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: (L-R) David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris attend the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: Melissa Joan Hart attends the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)Tony Offutt wears a Kentucky Derby hat while walking in the infield at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.An attendee arrives to watch the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Leandro Lozada / AFP via Getty Images)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: Lolo Jones attends the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: (L-R) Brandon Siler and Pamela Siler attend the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: Cody Ford attends the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: 2026 Miss America, Cassie Donegan attends the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: (L-R) Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo attend the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)Attendees arrive to watch the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Leandro Lozada / AFP via Getty Images)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: Jeffery Simmons attends the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)An attendee wears a funny hat during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Leandro Lozada / AFP via Getty Images)A woman attends the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Leandro Lozada / AFP via Getty Images)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: Dave Portnoy attends the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 02: Brian Quinn attends the Kentucky Derby 152 at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)Polly Owens of Harrodsburg, Ky., shows her derby style near the paddock at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Louisville Ky.
