More than 90,000 yellow rubber ducks filled the Chicago River on Thursday, August 6, as thousands of spectators gathered downtown for the 21st annual Chicago Ducky Derby, one of the city’s most recognizable summer fundraising events.
The ducks were released from the Columbus Drive Bridge shortly after 1 p.m., creating a bright yellow stream across the river as they made their way toward the finish line. The race lasted about 15 minutes, but the event itself began hours earlier, with activities along the Chicago Riverwalk starting at 10 a.m.
The Chicago Ducky Derby is organized as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This year’s event raised around $500,000 for the organization. 
Since the Chicago Ducky Derby began in 2005, it has raised nearly $5 million for Special Olympics Illinois.
How the Ducky Derby Works
Instead of betting on a particular duck, participants “adopt” one before the race. A single duck adoption costs $10, while several packages are available, including six ducks for $30. Each adopted duck is assigned a number and entered into the race.
Once the ducks are released into the Chicago River, the current carries them toward the finish line. The owners of the first ducks to cross win prizes.
This year’s first-place prize was a new Chevrolet Trax. The second-place winner received $2,500 in cash, while third place came with four club-level tickets to a Chicago Cubs game.
After the race, the rubber ducks are retrieved from the water.
Thousands Gather Along the River
The Ducky Derby has grown into much more than the brief race itself. Thousands of people crowded the Riverwalk and areas surrounding the Columbus Drive Bridge to watch the mass release.
Before the race, visitors could take part in a festival featuring food, music, activities and booths connected with Special Olympics Illinois and its supporters.
Becky Cavanagh Serves as 2026 Ducky Derby Ambassador
One of the central figures at this year’s event was Becky Cavanagh, the 2026 Chicago Ducky Derby ambassador. Cavanagh has participated as a Special Olympics Illinois athlete for 13 years and was given the honor of selecting the winning duck.
The enormous number of ducks has become the event’s defining image. More than 90,000 rubber ducks took part in this year’s race.
Around $500,000 Raised for Special Olympics Illinois
Behind the spectacle, however, is a fundraising campaign that has been running for more than two decades. Every duck adopted represents a donation to Special Olympics Illinois, meaning that the thousands of small yellow ducks floating through downtown Chicago translate directly into financial support for the organization and its athletes.
With around $500,000 raised in 2026 alone, the Chicago Ducky Derby once again turned one of the city’s most unusual summer traditions into a major charitable fundraiser.
Source: Duck Race Photo: Printscreen
