Key facts
- Melbourne Cup 2026: Tuesday 3 November, 3:00pm AEDT.
- Always the first Tuesday in November.
- Carnival days: Derby Day Sat 31 Oct, Cup Day Tue 3 Nov, Oaks Day Thu 5 Nov, Stakes Day Sat 7 Nov.
- Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday in Victoria.
When is the Melbourne Cup 2026?
The Melbourne Cup 2026 is on Tuesday 3 November 2026, starting at 3:00pm AEDT as Race 7 at Flemington Racecourse. It is the 166th running of the race. For the start time in your state or country, see our Melbourne Cup start time page.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday 3 November 2026 |
| Time | 3:00pm AEDT |
| Race number | Race 7 |
| Venue | Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne |
| Edition | 166th |
Why is the Melbourne Cup on a Tuesday?
The Melbourne Cup is on a Tuesday because it has been run on the first Tuesday in November for well over a century. The first Melbourne Cup in 1861 was run on a Thursday. The race moved to the first Tuesday of November and has stayed there, which is why the date changes from year to year and always falls between 1 and 7 November.
What are the Melbourne Cup week dates?
Melbourne Cup week, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, has four race days at Flemington:
- Victoria Derby Day: Saturday 31 October 2026. The final Cup field and barrier draw are confirmed that evening.
- Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 3 November 2026.
- Oaks Day: Thursday 5 November 2026.
- Champions Stakes Day: Saturday 7 November 2026.
When is the Melbourne Cup weekend?
The Melbourne Cup weekend runs from Saturday 31 October to Tuesday 3 November 2026. In Victoria the Tuesday is a public holiday, so many people take the Monday off for a four-day break. The full race-day timetable is on our Melbourne Cup Day page.
When are the next Melbourne Cups?
The next Melbourne Cups will follow the same first-Tuesday rule:
| Year | Expected date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday 3 November |
| 2027 | Tuesday 2 November |
| 2028 | Tuesday 7 November |
| 2029 | Tuesday 6 November |
When do the key Cup week decisions happen?
The key decisions before the race happen on these dates:
- Saturday 31 October, 4:30pm AEDT: final acceptances close.
- Saturday 31 October, evening: the final field and barrier draw.
- Tuesday 3 November, 7:30am AEDT: race-day scratchings close.
- Tuesday 3 November, 3:00pm AEDT: the race starts.
Frequently asked questions
What date is the Melbourne Cup in 2026?
The Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
What day of the week is the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup is always run on a Tuesday, the first Tuesday in November.
Is the Melbourne Cup always on the first Tuesday in November?
Yes. The modern Melbourne Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November each year, which is why the date moves between 1 and 7 November.
When is the Melbourne Cup weekend?
Cup weekend is Saturday 31 October to Tuesday 3 November 2026. It starts with Victoria Derby Day at Flemington and ends with the Cup itself. Many Victorians take the Monday off to make a long weekend.
When is the Melbourne Cup in 2027?
The first Tuesday in November 2027 is 2 November, so that is when the 2027 Melbourne Cup is expected to be run.
How many days until the Melbourne Cup?
Count to Tuesday 3 November 2026. On Friday 30 October, the Cup is four days away.
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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.