11/24/25 – 2026 Cross Country Championships

November 24, 2025 Athletic Department Blog Updates

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For Your Information

We would like to share an update with our administrators and coaches regarding the status of the 2026 State Cross Country Meet at the Kentucky Horse Park. There had been public concerns expressed by various entities and relayed to our office regarding the availability of the facility due to the 2026 Breeders’ Cup being hosted at Keeneland in Lexington. As many of you know, except for a brief period when the meet was relocated (initially due to COVID-19-imposed restrictions), the Park has been the home of the state meet for decades.

After direct communication with the Kentucky Horse Park, the KHSAA staff has confirmed that the facility will be available and no current or anticipated conflict exists for us to hold the scheduled KHSAA State Cross Country Meet on October 31, 2026. The Horse Park has reiterated its strong commitment to both the KHSAA and its members, as well as all coaches and student-athletes of the Commonwealth. 

Given that we all know the Breeders’ Cup will be well attended, the KHSAA advises schools to begin making potential logistical plans for the 2026 event. Lodging may require specific attention early, as hotel rooms in the area may be more limited than normal due to the Breeders’ Cup, and the price of those rooms will likely rise in the time between now and next fall.

 

– KHSAA –

About the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association was organized in 1917 and is the agency designated by the Kentucky Department of Education to manage high school athletics in the Commonwealth. The Association is a voluntary nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of 290 member schools, both public and non-public. The KHSAA awards 229 state championships to 59 teams and 178 individuals in 13 sports and six sport-activities, funds catastrophic insurance coverage for its more than 109,000 rostered member school student-athletes, provides coaching education and sports safety programs for more than 12,000 coaches and licenses and facilitates the distribution of training material for over 4,000 contest officials.

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