Churchill Downs has confirmed the return of live racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans for the 2025–26 season.
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has confirmed the return of live racing at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans for the 2025-26 season, following an emergency hearing by the Louisiana Racing Commission (LRC) on 25 June.
The upcoming meet is scheduled to run from 20 November 2025 through 22 March 2026, halting, for now, a potential withdrawal by CDI from the state’s racing industry.
The decision came after weeks of intense negotiations and political intervention.
This included efforts from Gov. Jeff Landry, Senate President Cameron Henry, the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (LHBPA), and members of the New Orleans City Council.
The emergency meeting, held at the Hotel Monteleone, ratified racing dates despite previous signals from CDI that it was prepared to abandon horse racing operations in Louisiana entirely.
Churchill Downs had earlier informed the LRC, through a letter dated 9 June and signed by CEO Bill Carstanjen, of its intent to surrender its racing licence.
The correspondence cited political inaction, legal developments, and financial constraints as primary reasons.
Notably, CDI expressed dissatisfaction with its perceived lack of political traction in the Louisiana State Capitol and criticised the legal framework that, in its view, hampered economic sustainability.
A critical blow to CDI’s regional operations came with the Louisiana Supreme Court’s March ruling that historical horse racing (HHR) machines were unconstitutional.
The decision upheld a 2021 lower court verdict that invalidated the legality of these machines, which had served as a lucrative revenue stream for both CDI and other stakeholders in the industry.
No HHR, no economic viability
Without HHR-generated income, CDI argued, maintaining racing at the Fair Grounds was no longer viable.
Despite these financial pressures, the LRC has insisted on standards of facility maintenance.
The Commission warned that CDI would face penalties unless planned renovations to the paddock area are completed before the start of the 2025 meet.
While CDI acknowledged that work was underway, the organisation has not committed to racing beyond the upcoming season.
The New Orleans City Council took its own action to preserve the Fair Grounds by implementing a temporary zoning ordinance on 12 June.
This measure restricts non-racing-related development on the property, effectively safeguarding the track’s traditional role in the city’s economy and cultural heritage.
The Fair Grounds, under CDI ownership since 2004, is one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, tracing its roots to the mid-1800s.
Though the 2025–26 season will proceed, uncertainty persists over the long-term future of racing at the venue.
LHBPA President Benard Chatters expressed concerns about sustainability and reiterated his organisation’s readiness to operate the full meet independently if CDI opts to cease racing operations in subsequent years.