Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton quietly turned Kentucky Derby weekend into another headline-making moment after the two were seen together at a private party in Louisville. While they avoided the red carpet at the famous Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve party on May 2, 2026, they still caught attention after arriving with a group that included Joe Burrow’s parents, Jimmy Burrow and Robin Burrow. According to PEOPLE, the pair looked comfortable together during the event, adding more fuel to the ongoing rumours that their relationship is back on after months of speculation.
Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton spotted together again during Kentucky Derby weekend
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow and Sports Illustrated model, Olivia Ponton, have been linked since late 2024. Even though neither of them has publicly confirmed the relationship, they have continued to appear together during the NFL offseason. According to PEOPLE, a witness at the Barnstable Brown party said Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton looked “cozy” while singer, Patti LaBelle performed some of her biggest songs, including “Lady Marmalade.” The source also said the two later stood up and enjoyed performances from Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Howie Dorough, and Luis Fonsi as they sang songs including “Bye Bye Bye,” “I Want It That Way,” and “Despacito.”
The couple reportedly skipped the cameras outside and entered privately with Burrow’s family. Even without a red carpet appearance, their arrival quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from Derby weekend. This was not the first time the two were seen together recently. Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton were also spotted together in Los Angeles in March. A month later, they attended NFL player, Joey Bosa’s wedding, which again restarted relationship rumours online.
Before these recent appearances, many fans believed Burrow was no longer dating Ponton after he spent much of the offseason being seen with other celebrities. Earlier this year, Burrow was photographed next to actress, Jessica Alba at a Las Vegas casino. He was also later seen leaving an Oscars after-party with influencer, Alix Earle and singer, Tate McRae. Still, the latest Kentucky Derby sighting has many fans believing Burrow and Ponton are very much together.
Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton’s relationship rumours started after the Cincinnati home break-in
The connection between Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton first became public in December 2024 under difficult circumstances. Ponton was inside Burrow’s Cincinnati home when thieves broke in while the quarterback was away playing against the Dallas Cowboys. After the incident, Olivia Ponton contacted police, which unexpectedly brought her name into public conversation alongside Burrow’s. Before that moment, many people still believed Burrow was dating his longtime girlfriend, Olivia Holzmacher. Following the break-in, Burrow spoke honestly about how uncomfortable the sudden attention made him feel. Joe Burrow said at the time:
“I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one and way more is already out there than I would want out there and that I care to share so that’s all I got to say about that.”
Away from his personal life, Burrow is also coming off a frustrating 2025 NFL season. The Bengals missed the playoffs after Burrow dealt with turf toe, an injury that reportedly kept him sidelined for nearly three months. The team also made major moves this offseason. During the 2026 NFL Draft, Cincinnati traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants in a deal that brought three-time Pro Bowl defensive star, Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals. Even with football questions surrounding the Bengals, fans continue paying close attention to Burrow’s offseason appearances, and his latest night out with Olivia Ponton has only added more attention to the rumors surrounding the pair.
What are your thoughts on Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton’s rumoured relationship after their Kentucky Derby appearance? Let us know.
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