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Fair Grounds Opening Day 2025: Thanksgiving Tradition Returns to New Orleans Racetrack
- Updated: November 18, 2025
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 18, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – After months of uncertainty, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots – America’s third-oldest racetrack – is thrilled to announce that Opening Day for the 2025-2026 Thoroughbred racing season will take place as scheduled on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Following productive negotiations between Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (LA HBPA), Governor Jeff Landry, Senate President Cameron Henry, and the Louisiana State Racing Commission, an agreement was reached in June to preserve live racing at the historic Gentilly Boulevard venue. The 76-day meet will run from November 20 through March 22, 2026, but the spotlight shines brightest on Thanksgiving – the day that has launched the New Orleans racing season for generations.
Fair Grounds Faces Closure: The Future of Horse Racing in New Orleans
Tradition Prevails in New Orleans
“Thanksgiving at Fair Grounds is more than opening day – it’s a beloved Louisiana holiday tradition,” said Jason Boulet, General Manager of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. “We are grateful to the horsemen, state leaders, and our loyal fans who made it clear that racing belongs in New Orleans. After a challenging year, we’re proud to open the gates once again and kick off the season with the pageantry, hats, oysters, and excitement that only Fair Grounds can deliver.”
Thanksgiving Day Highlights – November 27, 2025
- First post: 11:00 a.m.
- Feature race: The Thanksgiving Classic, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up offering a $100,000 purse
- Free admission and parking for all fans
- Clubhouse and reserved seating available (advance purchase recommended)
- Traditional Thanksgiving buffet, raw oyster bars, craft cocktails, and live music throughout the day
- Family-friendly activities and the return of the famous “Best Hat Contest”
The resolution ensures continued support for Louisiana’s breeding and horsemen community, with overnight purses remaining competitive despite the loss of historical horse racing revenue earlier this year. Stakes schedule highlights include the $300,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) – a major Kentucky Derby prep – and closing weekend’s $1 million New Orleans Classic (G2).
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Triumphantly Opens 154th Thoroughbred Racing Season on Thanksgiving Day
“We are excited to get back to what we do best: delivering world-class Thoroughbred racing in the heart of New Orleans,” added Boulet. “Thanksgiving Day is our Super Bowl, Jazz Fest, and Mardi Gras all rolled into one. We can’t wait to welcome everyone home.”
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. For tickets, dining reservations, and season information, visit www.fairgroundsracecourse.com or call (504) 944-5515.
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Established in 1872, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is the nation’s third-oldest racetrack and host of the Louisiana Derby Day and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated, Fair Grounds remains a cultural cornerstone of New Orleans.
