Breeders Cup World Championships expected to return Lexington 2026

Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, will host the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the fourth time, with the event scheduled for October 30-31, pending approval. The track is undergoing its largest renovation in its 89-year history, a $100+ million capital construction project highlighted by a new, three-level Paddock Building that will extend the length of the Saddling Paddock and Walking Ring and offer enhanced hospitality experiences for over 1,000 fans. Keeneland previously hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2015, 2020, and 2022, and officials emphasize the event's significance in celebrating the sport’s excellence and the region’s rich Thoroughbred racing heritage. Alongside the championships, Keeneland will hold its third annual Championship Sale to showcase top breeding stock and ownership opportunities. Following the 2026 event, the Breeders’ Cup will move to Belmont Park in New York, which is also undergoing redevelopment. The Breeders’ Cup is a prestigious two-day event featuring the world’s best Thoroughbreds competing for tens of millions in purses.