2026 Melbourne Cup
November 3 @ 3:00 pm
The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most prestigious annual thoroughbred horse race, famously known as “the race that stops a nation.” Held on the first Tuesday of November, it is the centerpiece of the Melbourne Cup Carnival—a four-day festival of world-class racing, high fashion, and celebration at the historic Flemington Racecourse.
📅 When is the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
- Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Race Time: The main race is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM (AEDT).
- Public Holiday: Note that Melbourne Cup Day is a gazetted public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne and some parts of regional Victoria.
🏟️ Where is the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
The event takes place at the “Cathedral of Horse Racing”:
- Venue: Flemington Racecourse
- Location: Flemington, Melbourne, Victoria
- Distance: 3,200 meters (approx. 2 miles)
- Surface: Turf
About Flemington Racecourse
Flemington is a heritage-listed site that has hosted the Cup since its inception in 1861. It features a long 1,200m home straight known as the “Straight Six.” On Cup Day, the venue can accommodate up to 100,000+ spectators, spread across the members’ enclosures, reserved grandstands, and the massive general admission lawns.
🎟️ How do I get tickets to the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
Tickets for the Melbourne Cup Carnival are digital-only and typically sold through Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).
- Flemington Pass (General Admission): This is the most popular option, providing access to the front lawn, betting rings, and the “Park” (the hub for fashion and food).
- Reserved Seating: Options include the Hill Stand, Lawn Stand, and Saintly Place. These provide a guaranteed seat and are usually released in phases starting around June/July 2026.
- VRC Membership: Members of the Victoria Racing Club have exclusive access to the Members’ Enclosure. Guest passes for members are strictly limited on Cup Day.
- Official Travel Packages: For interstate and international visitors, operators like Sportsnet Holidays or Experience Sport offer packages that bundle tickets with hotel stays and transport.
- Early Bird: Keep an eye out for “Early Bird” pricing which usually runs for a short window in April or May.
🚆 How to travel to Flemington Racecourse
Public transport is the fastest and most efficient way to reach the track.
- By Train (Highly Recommended): Special express trains run from Flinders Street, Southern Cross, and North Melbourne stations directly to the Flemington Racecourse station. On Cup Day, these trains run every few minutes during peak times.
- By Tram: Take the Route 57 tram from the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Streets. It drops passengers at the Flemington Drive entrance.
- By River: Several commercial cruise companies offer “Race Day Cruises” from the Docklands or Southbank up the Maribyrnong River, arriving at a private jetty near the racecourse.
- Rideshare/Taxi: There are designated zones at the Main Gate and Hill Gate, but be prepared for significant surge pricing and heavy traffic on Epsom Road.
🏨 Where to Stay in Melbourne
- Melbourne CBD: The best choice for first-time visitors. You are close to the morning train departures and the evening post-race festivities.
- Examples: The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, Quincy Hotel, Vibe Hotel Melbourne.
- Docklands: Offers modern apartments with great views and is the departure point for river cruises to the track.
- Examples: Peppers Docklands, Marriott Melbourne Docklands.
- Flemington/Moonee Ponds: If you want to be within walking distance of the gates.
👒 The Melbourne Cup Carnival “Big Four”
The Cup is just one of four major race days held over one week:
- Victoria Derby Day (Sat, Oct 31): Traditional “Black and White” dress code.
- Melbourne Cup Day (Tue, Nov 3): The main event.
- Oaks Day (Thu, Nov 5): Historically “Ladies’ Day,” focused on style and grace.
- Stakes Day (Sat, Nov 7): “Family Day” with a more relaxed atmosphere.
🔗 Helpful Links for Planning Your 2026 Melbourne Cup Experience
- Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Official Site
- Ticketmaster Australia (Official Tickets)
- Public Transport Victoria (PTV)
- Visit Victoria – Melbourne Cup Carnival
Last Updated on December 30, 2025 by Sports Tourist