As the crown jewel of one of sport's most iconic trifectas, the Kentucky Derby is a marvel in every sense of the world.
Between mint juleps, roses, billowy dresses and those ever-expanding hats, the first leg of the Triple Crown is as much a performance off the track as it is on it. With a run time of only two minutes or so, the pomp and circumstance surrounding the 151-year event might seem a bit extreme. That hasn't stopped the race from drawing more eyes and more ears than ever before, however.
It's little surprise why so many notable figures across the sports and entertainment world feel compelled to witness the action unfold in its storied home, Churchill Downs.
So, who will join Smokey Robinson, Boyz II Men, Bobby Flay and others to attend the fête in 2025? The Sporting News has your answer.
Who is attending the Kentucky Derby?
There's a number of luminaries set to climb into Churchill Downs' hollowed grounds for Saturday's race.
A crown jewel of the American sports calendar, the Race for the Roses yields quite the crowd — 170,000 are expected to pack into the venue's concourses for the two-minute spectacle. Included among that population are Olympic icon Simone Biles and Panthers wideout Xavier Legette.
Meanwhile, actors, musicians and more are slated to make the trek to Louisville's famed racing coliseum.
Here's the latest list of confirmed guests, according to the Louisville Courier Journal:
- Simone Biles, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast
- Xavier Legette, Panthers WR
- Aaron Rodgers, free agent QB
- Randall Cobb, former NFL WR
- AJ Hawk, former NFL LB
- Davante Adams, Rams WR
- Will Levis, Titans QB
- Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants WR
- David Bakhtiari, former NFL OL
- Corey Linsley, former NFL C
- Jimmy Graham, NFL TE
- Travis Tritt, country music star
- Brantley Gilbert, country music star
- Selma Blair, actress
- Shawn Stockman, Boyz II Men singer
- Tracy Morgan, actor/comedian
- Wilmer Valderrama, actor
- Mickey Guyton, country music star
- Blair Underwood, actor
- Billy Gilman, singer
- RaeLynn, singer
- Jack Hues, singer
- Warren Moon, NFL Hall of Famer
- Livvy Dunne, gymnast
- Chris Tucker, actor/comedian
- Guy Fieri, chef
- Grace Potter, country singer
- Jonathan Owens, Bears S
- Alix Earle, Tik Tok star
- Braxton Berrios, Texans WR
- Oscar Tshiebwe, Jazz C
- Kraig Urbik, former NFL OL