Melbourne Cup

The four race days

The Melbourne Cup is run on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at Flemington Racecourse, over 3200 meters, as a Group 1 race. It is one day of four in the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and Cup Day is a public holiday in Victoria, according to the state government's business site.

The VRC lists these race days for 2026, with the first and last race times on each:

The Victoria Derby was first run in 1855, and the VRC calls it Australia's oldest classic. The same card has two more Group 1 races, the Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m and the TAB Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m.

The VRC lists the trophy ceremony at 2:23pm in the Mounting Yard. Entry to The Park, the free-entry area, is open to all racegoers. Cup Day is the most expensive day, and some of the reserved products were already marked sold out on 15 October.

Oaks Day costs less than half of Cup Day for the same general admission, and it is the day to take if you want to see Flemington without the Cup Day price. If you buy the Cup and Oaks two-day pass, the VRC lists it at A$150.

The card has three Group 1 races: the Champions Stakes over 2000m, the Champions Mile over 1600m and the Champions Sprint over 1200m.

Tickets

Most of the buy links on the VRC pages go to Ticketmaster, and some hospitality products use a separate VRC ticketing link. General admission covers entry to all of Flemington's public areas, restaurants and bars on the course, chill-out zones with seating and shade, family activities, and the live music on The Elms Live Stage after the last race. It also gives you a view of Fashions on the Field.

Reserved seating is a separate ticket. On 15 October 2026 the VRC listed the Lawn Stand from A$350 and the Hill Stand from A$575 for Cup Day, with the Hill Stand marked as selling fast. Hospitality packages cost more and several were sold out. Members Enclosure products need a VRC membership.

What to wear

General admission has no dress rules. The VRC says it encourages racegoers to dress suitably, and suggests bright tones for Cup Day, monochrome for Derby Day and pastels for Oaks Day. Those are style hints, not requirements.

The Members Enclosure has rules, and the Birdcage is part of it. The Club can refuse entry to anyone it considers inappropriately dressed. Men aged 12 and over need a collared shirt, a tie or bow tie and dress shoes, with a suit or tailored pants and a jacket or blazer. Jeans, denim, runners, sports shoes, thongs and leggings worn as pants are not allowed. Overseas visitors may wear national dress.

Getting there

Flemington Racecourse has its own train station. Metro trains run directly between Southern Cross and Flemington Racecourse on all race days. On Cup Day the VRC lists express trains from Flinders Street between 8:44am and 1:23pm, then trains that stop at Southern Cross and North Melbourne. Return trains from Flemington run from 1:36pm, and the last is at 8:59pm. Some of the VRC's wording on that page was carried over from 2025, so check the Journey Planner for the 2026 timetable.

Tram 57 boards at the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Streets and stops at Flemington Drive (stop 30), outside the main gate. It does not run low-floor trams, so the VRC suggests the train for anyone using a mobility aid. Buses 472 and 404 serve the Elms Gate and the Stables Drive entrance.

Parking is free for race-day ticket holders, entering via Flemington Drive off Epsom Road. Rideshare drop-off is at the Main Gate, and DiDi is the official partner. The taxi rank, the Main Rank, is reached via Stables Drive.

Security checks bags at every entry. Alcohol cannot come through the turnstiles. Glass, large umbrellas, gazebos, most chairs and stools, drones and flags over 1 meter are banned, but folding fabric chairs are allowed. You can leave and come back if you scan your ticket as you exit.

For the city side of the trip, see Melbourne. Most visitors from outside Australia need an authority or visa before they fly: Australia ETA and eVisitor.

Where to sleep

Sleep in the central business district and take a train. Near Southern Cross you are on the line that runs direct to Flemington on race days. Around Flinders Street you have the Cup Day express trains and the corner where tram 57 boards. Southbank is over the Yarra from Flinders Street, and Fitzroy and Collingwood, north of the center, have the bars. Major events push room prices up across Melbourne, so book early.

Our pick near the Melbourne CupThe Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne5-star hotel, $$$$

• Melbourne Cup centre 0.8 km away
• Guest score of 9.3/10 from 492 reviews

Check availabilityWe may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.