Keeneland to Open Paddock Building Hospitality Spaces for 2026 Spring Meet

Keeneland will debut the interior hospitality spaces of its new three-story Paddock Building in time for the 2026 Spring Meet, a move that promises to reshape race-day hospitality and expand public access to premium viewing. The collection of five named venues adds more than 1,000 new public dining tickets per race day, offering fans more options to watch the action and socialize on-site.

The building introduces five distinct venues: the 1936 Room, Sycamore Room, Dogwood Room, Ivy Room and the Rooftop. The Rooftop on the third floor contains two separate spaces - a fully enclosed premium indoor dining room and a covered outdoor area anchored by a focal bar and patio seating, both with sweeping views of the Saddling Paddock and the Keeneland campus. The 1936 Room gives guests a view of jockeys as they walk to the saddling paddock, provides access to the paddock lawn and is described as reception-style with high-top tables, lounge seating and passed heavy appetizers. The Sycamore Room will offer high-end American cuisine, the Dogwood Room on the second floor will feature buffet-style dining with panoramic views of pre-race preparations, and the Ivy Room offers an intimate setting for private groups.

Keeneland framed the Paddock Building as part of a sweeping $100 million reimagining of its paddock area, the largest capital project since the track opened more than 90 years ago. Lexington-based designer Matthew Carter led the interior design effort. In Keeneland’s words, "The Paddock Building reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to attracting new fans and enhancing the way guests experience fresh, elevated hospitality." Keeneland President & CEO Shannon Arvin emphasized the project’s industry purpose: "The Paddock Building represents an investment in the Thoroughbred industry and furthers Keeneland's mission to support and grow the sport. It speaks to our confidence in racing's future while creating new, meaningful ways to engage guests year-round."

Tickets for the Spring Meet go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. ET. Courier-Journal reporting places ticket prices in a $100 to $200 range, with weekend race days priced higher; Keeneland has set a business casual dress code for Paddock Building venues. The Spring Meet is slated for April 3–24, 2026, with no races scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays or April 5, Easter Sunday.

From a business perspective, the new hospitality inventory opens multiple revenue streams beyond wagering and general admissions. The Paddock Building is designed for year-round use as Keeneland’s premier setting for sales and private events, which could bolster non-race-day income and justify the sizeable capital outlay. Culturally, the spaces are intentionally tied to Keeneland’s heritage - the 1936 Room and Ivy Room nod to the track’s limestone and history - while aiming to modernize the race-day experience for younger and broader audiences.

This announcement did not include race results, jockey performances or specific racing outcomes; the reimagined Saddling Paddock and Stakes Winner’s Circle were unveiled at the 2025 Fall Meet but specific race-level details are not part of the hospitality rollout. For fans, the practical takeaway is clear: mark Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. ET to secure new dining tickets, expect elevated sightlines and service, and anticipate that Keeneland’s refreshed paddock footprint will be a commercial and social focal point of the 2026 Spring Meet and beyond.