By Blake Jackson
One year after breaking ground during the 120th Kentucky State Fair, Kentucky Venues is making significant progress on the largest expansion and renovation project in its history.
Phase I of the Kentucky Exposition Center’s $460-plus million transformation is now well underway, offering fairgoers and equestrian event participants a glimpse of the future.
Phase I, a $180 million investment, will create a 350,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility roughly the size of six football fields designed to accommodate livestock competitions, equine events, sports tournaments, trade shows, and conventions.
Earlier this year, Newmarket Hall, the former home of livestock sales, was demolished to make way for the modern facility.
The new building will include dedicated washrooms, a milking parlor suite, multiple main entrances, food service areas, and flexible meeting spaces to support both agricultural and convention clients. Completion and handover are scheduled for December 31, 2026, with major events expected in 2027.
Approximately 3,500 to 4,000 tradespeople, alongside a 150-member design team from Kentucky and beyond, are contributing to the project, combining expertise to ensure functionality and adaptability for a wide range of events.
Fairgoers at the 2025 Kentucky State Fair are already benefiting from the first improvements. Gate Four on Crittenden Drive reopened with a 50% increase in traffic lanes, expanded pedestrian areas, digital signage, and the state’s largest on-site queueing capacity, helping reduce road congestion. Renovation work on Gate Two will begin before the end of 2025.
Phase II will follow, involving a $213 million redevelopment of the West Wing, West Hall, and Pavilion. This phase will add 249,000 square feet of Class A exhibit space, expanded pre-function lobbies, additional meeting rooms, and 40,000 square feet of upgraded food and beverage facilities, with construction expected to take 18 to 24 months.
“These improvements go far beyond bricks and mortar; they are an investment in Kentucky’s future. They open doors for farmers, businesses, athletes, and families, while solidifying the Commonwealth’s role as a national leader in agriculture, events, and tourism," said David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues.
"We are grateful to the Kentucky General Assembly for their commitment to these projects and their recognition of the tremendous return on investment our venues provide for Kentucky’s economy."
The transformation ensures the Kentucky Exposition Center will continue attracting world-class events and delivering economic benefits for decades.
Photo Credit: kentucky-venues
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Livestock