Meadowlands Derby Day details

East Rutherford, NJ – The greatest two minutes in sports – the Kentucky Derby – takes place on Saturday, May 1st and the Meadowlands Racetrack is the best place to watch and wager. Racetrack doors open at 9 am with first Churchill Downs post at 10:30 am. Live harness racing kicks off at 6:20 pm and the Kentucky Derby post time is set for 6:57 pm.

Guaranteed seating for this exciting day is now on sale at PlayMeadowlands.com/derby

Due to limited attendance capacities and COVID protocols, onsite attendance is limited to the following:

Café table seating

Backyard BBQ & Grill seating

Lounge dining

West Deck & Promenade dining

500 hundred pre-paid general admission indoor Grandstand tickets

3,000 Backyard only FREE general admission

25 Café picnic tables are available for purchase. The Café will have waitress service and be tented for guest comfort. Guests can dine on racetrack staples including chicken wings and French fries, cheese steaks, burgers, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream and more. Reservations must be pre-paid and are $100 per table. Each table seats up to four people. The $100 is also a food credit that can be used at the outdoor Café on Kentucky Derby Day. The credit is valid on Saturday, May 1st only.

Outdoor Backyard guaranteed seating is limited for Derby Day. The Backyard BBQ & Grill opens at 11 am will have waitress service. Guests can dine delicious spring-time grilled fare including burgers, sausage and hot dog along with brisket, ribs and mac & cheese. Each table seats up to 4 people. The $100 is a food credit that can be used at the Backyard BBQ & Grill and Backyard Bar on Saturday, May 1st only. Additional seats can be purchased for $25. All Backyard diners should enter via the Backyard entrance.

The West Deck has a $39.95 pre-fixe Derby lunch menu featuring a variety of cold salads, grilled items along with a selection of pre-packaged desserts will also be available. Reservations are required and dining must be prepaid. Reservations can be made by calling 201-TheBigM or emailing mrefinski@playmeadowlands.com. Please keep in mind seating is limited and begins at 11am. Hot food service is 11am – 4:30pm. If additional food is ordered after 5pm, each additional diner will be charged $29.95 for the evening food service.

The Promenade will open for outdoor dining at 5pm featuring salads, grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken along with desserts. Reservations are required and dining must be prepaid. Reservations can be made by calling 201-TheBigM or emailing mrefinski@playmeadowlands.com.

There is no better place to watch and wager on all the Derby Day racing action, than the 2nd floor Lounge. Guests can dine on delicious Victory Sports Bar fare including chicken wings and loaded French fries, paninis, burgers, loaded nachos, popcorn shrimp, cheese steaks and more. The seating cost is a food credit that will be applied to the food and beverage bill. Tax and gratuity are not included in this credit and are additional.

Available Seating/Dining Options for purchase include:

Grandstand Lounge Table: Reservations must be pre-paid and are $80 per two person table and $160 for a four person table.

Grandstand Lounge Couch: Reservations must be pre-paid and are $150 per four person section complete with couch. These sections are premium seating directly in front of the HD Tvs.

Additional Seats: Seats can be added to any of the above options for an additional $40 per seat.

Guests not interested in dining can purchase a General Admission ticket for $10. It guarantees track entrance through the Simulcast Entrance from 9 am – 7pm. After 7pm admission is free.

There is also the free Backyard admission option. Guests are able to enter the track via the Backyard entrance and watch and wager on all the racing action at the outdoor mutuel tellers. Due to COVID attendance restrictions Backyard admissions will not be granted access to the Grandstand.

All guests will have their temperature checked and must complete a brief health questionnaire before entering via the Clubhouse entrance. No one with a temperature exceeding 100.4 will be allowed to enter. Guests can download and complete the required questionnaire at PlayMeadowlands.com to help speed up the check-in process. All must wear masks while not actively eating or drinking at their table.

More detailed information on dining and Derby Day admission can be found at PlayMeadowlands.com/derby

From the Meadowlands