To clear the Kentucky Derby of conflicting events in the region, the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville shifted their season-opening football games to a Wednesday night.
In a joint announcement Monday, the Kentucky programs scheduled a Sept. 2 kickoff to their 2020 college football seasons. It was the second time Louisville moved its Week 1 game.
“We appreciate the NCAA, ACC, and NC State honoring our request for a date change for the opening game,” Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra said in a statement. “We are trying to be thoughtful about the shared city resources needed to host a football game and The Derby at the same time.”
The 146th Kentucky Derby, which would have run April 30 through May 2 in Louisville, was rescheduled to Sept. 3-5 because of coronavirus concerns.
Louisville plays NC State in an early ACC contest at their home stadium which is just a few blocks from Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Oaks will take place Sept. 4 and the Derby will run the next day.
Kentucky hosts Eastern Michigan in its first game of the 2020 season.
Kickoff times are expected to be announced in two weeks.