Churchill Downs Incorporated and Sports Illustrated Tuesday announced a multi-year partnership for a new luxury dining experience. Club SI, a luxury dining experience, is scheduled to debut Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs. The venture is part of the $200 million Paddock Project at Churchill Downs in conjunction with the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby May 4.
“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 Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson in a statement. “Sports Illustrated shares our goal of combining exciting sports moments with upscale entertainment, and Club SI will provide the perfect space to achieve this.”
Offering a view of the new paddock and paddock runway, Club SI will showcase famed Sports Illustrated magazine covers, editorials featuring past Kentucky Derby races, and a sneak peek of Sports Illustrated’s new SI Resorts vertical. Celebrity ambassadors will annually act as hosts for Club SI during the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks.
Club SI will be open on premium race days and include tables able to accommodate parties of two to eight guests. The curated Chef’s Table Buffet will offer gourmet food, designated wagering windows, private bars, and outdoor trackside viewing for live races. The nearby SI Enclosure will feature covered outdoor dining tables for parties of four.
“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,” Authentic Brands Group SVP Media Brands Michael Sherman (Authentic Brands Group owns 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.”
