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MelbourneCup2026.comIndependent guide to the 2026 Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup Day 2026 — Race Times, Schedule and What Race

Written by Alexander Korsager, editor-in-chief · Fact-checked by Mark D'Andrea · Updated

Melbourne Cup Day 2026 is Tuesday 3 November, with the Cup run as Race 7 at 3:00pm AEDT. Gates open at 9:00am, the first race is at 10:45am and the last at 5:15pm. Here is the full day at Flemington, from the trophy ceremony to the last train home.

  1. Fri 30 OctVet re-examinations
  2. Sat 31 Oct, 4:30pmFinal acceptances close
  3. Sat 31 Oct, eveningFinal field and barrier draw
  4. Tue 3 Nov, 3:00pm AEDTMelbourne Cup, Race 7
Spring calendar illustration showing November 3 in front of the white Flemington rail and roses

Key facts

  • The Melbourne Cup is Race 7 on the Flemington program, starting at 3:00pm AEDT.
  • Gates 9:00am; first race 10:45am; last race 5:15pm.
  • Trophy ceremony 2:15pm; Robbie Williams performs at 2:18pm and 5:45pm.
  • Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday in Victoria.

When is Melbourne Cup Day 2026?

Melbourne Cup Day 2026 is Tuesday 3 November, the first Tuesday in November as it is every year. It is the second day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, after Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 31 October. For more on the date and the Carnival around it, see when is the Melbourne Cup.

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What is the Melbourne Cup Day schedule?

The Melbourne Cup Day schedule runs from 9:00am to the last train home just before 9:00pm. Times are AEDT and come from the VRC's race-day information.

Time (AEDT) What happens
9:00am Gates open at Flemington
10:45am Race 1
12:00pm to 1:00pm Michelle Payne book signing in The Park
2:15pm Melbourne Cup Trophy Ceremony in the Mounting Yard
2:18pm Robbie Williams pre-Cup performance in the Mounting Yard
3:00pm Race 7: the Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m)
5:15pm Last race
5:30pm PNAU on The Elms Live Stage
5:45pm Robbie Williams on The Elms Live Stage
8:59pm Last train leaves Flemington Racecourse

What race is the Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup is Race 7 on the Flemington program, jumping at 3:00pm AEDT. It is run over 3200m as a Group 1 handicap for three-year-olds and upwards, with a field of up to 24. Our Melbourne Cup start time page converts the start into every state and time zone.

What other races are on Melbourne Cup Day?

The other races on Melbourne Cup Day include two Group 3s and several Listed races:

  • Darley Maribyrnong Plate (Group 3, 1000m), for two-year-olds.
  • The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Group 3, 1400m), for mares.
  • Batman Stakes (Listed, 1800m), for three-year-olds.
  • Kirin Ichiban Plate (Listed, 1800m), a handicap.
  • The Amanda Elliott (Listed, 1400m), for three-year-olds.
  • Australian Heritage Cup (2800m), a staying handicap.
  • Subzero Handicap (1400m), for grey horses only, named after the grey 1992 Cup winner.

How do you get to Flemington on Cup Day?

The easiest way to get to Flemington on Cup Day is by train. Express services run directly to Flemington Racecourse:

  1. From Flinders Street: express trains from 8:44am to 1:23pm; from 1:35pm to 2:44pm, trains stop at Southern Cross and North Melbourne.
  2. From Southern Cross: trains from 8:52am to 1:33pm stop at North Melbourne, then run express to the course.
  3. Going home: trains leave the racecourse from 1:36pm to 8:59pm.

What is there to do at Flemington besides the racing?

Cup Day at Flemington is as much a social event as a race meeting:

  • Fashions on the Field on the Front Lawn, a tradition since 1962.
  • The Park, a free family area with children's activities.
  • The Birdcage, the members' enclosure with marquees.
  • Live music at The Elms Live Stage, including Robbie Williams after the last race.
  • Pin and Win, raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria and Tasmania.

Is Melbourne Cup Day a public holiday?

Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across Victoria, except where a regional council has arranged a substitute local holiday. It is not a public holiday in the other states.

Frequently asked questions

What race is the Melbourne Cup on Cup Day?

The Melbourne Cup is Race 7 on the 2026 Flemington program, with a start time of 3:00pm AEDT.

How many races are on Melbourne Cup Day?

The 2026 Cup Day card runs from the first race at 10:45am AEDT to the last at 5:15pm AEDT. In 2025 there were 10 races, with the Melbourne Cup as Race 7, and the VRC lists the Cup as Race 7 again in 2026.

What time is the first race on Melbourne Cup Day?

The first race on Melbourne Cup Day 2026 is at 10:45am AEDT. Gates open at 9:00am.

What time is the last race on Melbourne Cup Day?

The last race on Melbourne Cup Day 2026 is at 5:15pm AEDT. Robbie Williams then performs on The Elms stage at 5:45pm.

What other races are on Melbourne Cup Day?

Other races on the card include the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) and Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m), the Listed Batman Stakes and Kirin Ichiban Plate (both 1800m), the Listed Amanda Elliott (1400m) and the Subzero Handicap for grey horses.

What time is the last train from Flemington on Cup Day?

The last train leaves Flemington Racecourse at 8:59pm, stopping at North Melbourne and Southern Cross before Flinders Street.

What is the official flower of Melbourne Cup Day?

The yellow rose is the official flower of Melbourne Cup Day.

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Sources

  1. VRC: Lexus Melbourne Cup Day 2026
  2. VRC: Quick look at the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup contenders

Who wrote and checked this page

Alexander Korsager

Written by

Alexander Korsager

Alexander Korsager is our editor-in-chief. He has spent more than ten years in online gambling and iGaming, including senior leadership roles. He writes every Melbourne Cup guide on this site from official VRC and Racing Victoria sources.

Mark D'Andrea

Fact-checked by

Mark D'Andrea

Mark D'Andrea is a Senior Regulatory Consultant at Gaming Associates, an independent testing and certification laboratory for the gambling industry. He fact-checks our race guides, betting rules and safer gambling information.

Read our editorial policy to see how we research, check and correct every page.