Churchill Downs cuts Kentucky Derby crowd from 170,000 to 23,000 due to COVID-19 and fans are banned entirely from the famously rowdy infield

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The Kentucky Derby will have a fraction of its normal crowd size on September 5 after Churchill Downs announced Wednesday that only 23,000 spectators will be permitted at the 170,000-capacity venue due to COVID-19. 

The most significant change for the 146th Kentucky Derby may be in the infield, which has developed a reputation for rowdy, drunken fans. Churchill Downs had said in late June that general admission would be limited to the sprawling 26-acre infield. However, due to circumstances with the virus, those tickets will be refunded and the infield will be closed.

Usually held on the first Saturday in May as the first leg of US thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown, this year's Kentucky Derby was preceded by the Belmont Stakes in June and will be followed by the October 3 Preakness Stakes.

The Kentucky Derby will have a fraction of its normal crowd size on September 5 after Churchill Downs announced Wednesday that only 23,000 spectators will be permitted at the 170,000-capacity venue due to COVID-19

Fancy hats were on display at the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4th, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky 

Fans slide through the mud in the infield prior to the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky

'The opportunity to safely welcome back a limited number of guests to Churchill Downs on the first week of September is a privilege that our team doesn't take for granted,' Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery said in a statement.

'Our extensive plan meets or exceeds all recommended state and local guidelines. We've received an exceptional level of support from regulators, medical experts, and public health authorities and we'll continue to carefully work with them to ensure we're doing everything we can to keep our customers, employees, and communities safe.

'For those guests who plan to join us for this year's Derby, we promise you that we will make it a wonderful experience, and most importantly, we will make it as safe and comfortable as we possibly can.'

According to the company's health and safety operations plan, there will be no general admission this year and attendance will be limited to less than 14 percent of the record 170,513 set in 2015.

Reserved seating this year will also be limited to a maximum of 40 percent occupancy while temperature checks, medical screenings, physical distancing and face coverings will be mandated.

Fans make their way through the infield prior to the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby