Key facts
- Start time: 3:00pm AEDT, Tuesday 3 November 2026, Race 7 at Flemington.
- Queensland 2:00pm, South Australia 2:30pm, Northern Territory 1:30pm, Western Australia 12:00pm.
- New Zealand 5:00pm Tuesday; UK 4:00am Tuesday; US Eastern 11:00pm Monday.
- The race takes about three and a quarter minutes.
What time is the Melbourne Cup race in 2026?
The Melbourne Cup race starts at 3:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 3 November 2026. It is Race 7 at Flemington, and the horses usually go into the barriers a few minutes before the official start. The pre-race trophy ceremony begins at 2:15pm, followed by Robbie Williams in the Mounting Yard at 2:18pm. For the full program, see our Melbourne Cup Day guide.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in each state?
The Melbourne Cup start time in each state depends on daylight saving. In November, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia are on daylight saving time, while Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia are not.
| Location | Local start time |
|---|---|
| Victoria, NSW, ACT, Tasmania (AEDT) | 3:00pm Tuesday |
| South Australia (ACDT) | 2:30pm Tuesday |
| Queensland (AEST) | 2:00pm Tuesday |
| Northern Territory (ACST) | 1:30pm Tuesday |
| Western Australia (AWST) | 12:00pm Tuesday |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | 5:00pm Tuesday |
| Japan (JST) | 1:00pm Tuesday |
| Hong Kong and Singapore | 12:00pm Tuesday |
| India (IST) | 9:30am Tuesday |
| United Arab Emirates | 8:00am Tuesday |
| Italy, France, Germany (CET) | 5:00am Tuesday |
| United Kingdom and Ireland (GMT) | 4:00am Tuesday |
| US Eastern (EST) | 11:00pm Monday 2 November |
| US Pacific (PST) | 8:00pm Monday 2 November |
What time is the Melbourne Cup in Queensland?
The Melbourne Cup starts at 2:00pm in Queensland, an hour earlier than in Melbourne, because Queensland stays on AEST all year. Our Melbourne Cup time in QLD page has the details for Brisbane, the Gold Coast and regional Queensland.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in Perth?
The Melbourne Cup starts at 12:00pm (midday) in Perth, three hours behind Melbourne. That makes it a lunchtime race for Western Australians, which is why many Perth Cup functions start late in the morning.
What time is the Melbourne Cup overseas?
The Melbourne Cup is shown around the world, and the start time falls at very different hours:
- New Zealand: 5:00pm Tuesday (NZDT).
- Japan: 1:00pm Tuesday.
- Hong Kong and Singapore: 12:00pm Tuesday.
- United Kingdom and Ireland: 4:00am Tuesday (GMT; the UK changed clocks on Sunday 25 October).
- Central Europe: 5:00am Tuesday (CET).
- United States Eastern: 11:00pm Monday 2 November (EST; US daylight saving ended on Sunday 1 November).
How long is the Melbourne Cup race?
The Melbourne Cup race is 3200 metres, about two miles, and takes roughly three minutes and twenty seconds to run. So if the race jumps at 3:00pm AEDT, the result is usually known by about 3:04pm. Official results and dividends follow once the stewards have confirmed placings.
What time should you be ready to watch?
To catch the build-up, be ready by about 2:45pm AEDT. Here is a simple countdown:
- 2:15pm: trophy ceremony begins in the Mounting Yard.
- 2:18pm: Robbie Williams performs.
- About 2:50pm: horses load into the barriers.
- 3:00pm: the Melbourne Cup starts.
- About 3:04pm: the result is known; official placings follow.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Melbourne Cup race?
The Melbourne Cup race starts at 3:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 3 November 2026. It is Race 7 on the Flemington program.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in Adelaide?
The Melbourne Cup starts at 2:30pm in Adelaide and the rest of South Australia, which is on ACDT.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in Sydney?
The Melbourne Cup starts at 3:00pm in Sydney, because New South Wales and Victoria are both on AEDT in November.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in Queensland?
The Melbourne Cup starts at 2:00pm in Queensland, which does not use daylight saving.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in Perth?
The Melbourne Cup starts at 12:00pm (midday) in Perth and the rest of Western Australia.
How long does the Melbourne Cup race take?
The Melbourne Cup takes about three minutes and twenty seconds to run over 3200m, depending on the pace and the track.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in the UK?
The Melbourne Cup starts at 4:00am GMT on Tuesday 3 November 2026 in the UK and Ireland.
Can the Melbourne Cup start late?
Occasionally. Delays at the barrier, a horse being reshod or an earlier race running late can push the start back by a few minutes.
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Who wrote and checked this page
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
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.