NFL Legend Emmitt Smith and SI Swimsuit Cover Star Brooks Nader to Host Festivities in Club SI

Feb 27, 2024 Hayley Armstrong

Club SI’s Debut at Churchill Downs coincides with opening night of Derby Week and the Publication’s 70th Anniversary Year.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and model Brooks Nader join Sports Illustrated in celebrating the official opening of Club SI, the new luxury dining experience at Churchill Downs, for the historic 150th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4. The grand opening event also aligns with the 70th anniversary year for the iconic sports publication.

Club SI, a multi-year exclusive naming rights partnership announced in January between Churchill Downs Racetrack and Sports Illustrated, is scheduled to debut on Opening Night of Derby Week and will offer guests a modern, sophisticated race day experience as part of the racetrack’s $200 million renovated Paddock Project.

Affording guests an unparalleled behind-the-scenes experience, Club SI ‘s new space will offer a luxury dining experience with an immersive view of the all-new Paddock and Paddock Runway. The interior design of Club SI will showcase iconic Sports Illustrated magazine covers, editorial featuring past Kentucky Derby races, and a sneak peek into Sports Illustrated’s new SI Resorts vertical.

Smith and Nader are the first of many celebrity hosts for Club SI during the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks for a premium race day experience. Smith, who played in the NFL for 15 seasons including 13 with the Dallas Cowboys, is the sport’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards. He was crowned the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1993 and is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys. Nader became a model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue after winning the 2019 Swim Search, an open casting call that attracted 10,000 applicants. She has been featured in the magazine every year since then and became a cover girl for the magazine in 2023, which featured the first Sports Illustrated Resort in Cap Cana Dominican Republic in the pages of the issue.

Club SI will be open on premium race days throughout the year at Churchill Downs. Guests will have the option to book dining tables, indulge in gourmet dishes from the curated Chef’s Table Buffet, visit dedicated wagering windows and private bars, and enjoy outdoor trackside viewing for live races. Steps from the club, guests will be treated to the SI Enclosure which will deliver a front-row experience of the Paddock with covered outdoor dining tables.

Tickets for the 150th Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby have seen unprecedented demand with limited premium and luxury experiences still available, including Club SI. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets by calling (502) 636-4447 or visiting https://www.kentuckyderby.com/seating-experiences/premium-dining-section/club-si-and-enclosure/ to be a part of the most extraordinary Kentucky Derby yet.