This page covers all Melbourne Cup winners, the race's rich history, prize money, and everything you need to know before the next running.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is the four-day showpiece of Australian racing, run at Flemington Racecourse over eight days from Derby Day to Stakes Day. Headlined by the Melbourne Cup ā “the race that stops a nation” ā the carnival features seven Group 1s across four racedays and is the richest concentrated block of racing on the Australian calendar.
Headline race: see our Melbourne Cup tips, odds & best bets ā the race that stops a nation.
This guide covers the full 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival dates, race-by-race schedule, betting markets and the best Australian bookmakers for cup week. For the broader spring build-up (Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and the lead-in races), see our Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival guide. For our latest picks, visit the horse racing tips hub.
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit LimitĀ For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit LimitĀ For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
The 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival runs from Saturday 31 October to Saturday 7 November at Flemington. The Melbourne Cup is always held on the first Tuesday in November, making 2026 Cup Day Tuesday 3 November.
| Date | Raceday | Feature Race |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 31 October 2026 | Derby Day | Victoria Derby (G1, 2500m) |
| Tuesday 3 November 2026 | Melbourne Cup Day | Melbourne Cup (G1, 3200m) |
| Thursday 5 November 2026 | Oaks Day (Crown Oaks) | VRC Oaks (G1, 2500m) |
| Saturday 7 November 2026 | Stakes Day | Darley Sprint Classic (G1, 1200m) |
The carnival packs seven Group 1 races into its four days, with Derby Day alone hosting four of them. Below is the full G1 line-up with distance and raceday.
| Race | Distance | Raceday |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Derby | 2500m | Derby Day |
| Coolmore Stud Stakes | 1200m | Derby Day |
| Empire Rose Stakes | 1600m | Derby Day |
| Kennedy Cantala | 1600m | Derby Day |
| Melbourne Cup | 3200m | Cup Day |
| VRC Oaks | 2500m | Oaks Day |
| Darley Sprint Classic | 1200m | Stakes Day |
| Mackinnon Stakes | 2000m | Stakes Day |
The Melbourne Cup is a Group 1 handicap over 3200m at Flemington for three-year-olds and upwards, first run in 1861 and now one of the richest staying races in the world. It is the only race in the country with its own public holiday in Victoria and regularly draws the best European and Japanese stayers alongside the best of the local field.
The modern Melbourne Cup is a 24-horse handicap with a deep ballot system. In recent years it has been dominated by imports and internationally-bred horses with stamina in their pedigree. Lead-in form lines to watch include the Caulfield Cup (2400m), the Turnbull Stakes (2000m), the Geelong Cup (2400m) and the Bart Cummings (2500m). We run a full preview with all the tips and trends in the weeks leading into Cup Day ā keep an eye on our horse racing tips and Melbourne Cup past winners page.
The Cup Carnival is the single biggest betting block on the Australian racing calendar. The following markets are priced up well in advance by all major Australian bookmakers:
Every major Australian bookmaker prices the Cup Carnival aggressively with early speculative markets, best-tote-plus-fixed products, and Cup Day promotions. Our top five picks for cup week betting are below ā all fully Australian-licensed.
For a fuller comparison, see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.
The 2026 Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at Flemington Racecourse. The race is always held on the first Tuesday in November.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a four-day event ā Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day and Stakes Day ā held across an eight-day window at Flemington Racecourse.
The carnival features seven Group 1 races: the Victoria Derby, Coolmore Stud Stakes, Empire Rose Stakes and Kennedy Cantala on Derby Day; the Melbourne Cup on Cup Day; the VRC Oaks on Oaks Day; and the Darley Sprint Classic and Mackinnon Stakes on Stakes Day.
Flemington enforces a formal dress code in the Members’ and Premium enclosures: jacket and tie or a traditional suit for men, and a tailored outfit with headwear (fascinator or hat) for women. Dress standards are more relaxed in the public areas, but the carnival’s heritage of fashion on the field means most attendees still dress up. Fashions on the Field is held on all four racedays.
The Melbourne Cup is broadcast live and free on Network 10 in Australia. All four racedays are also covered live on Racing.com, Sky Racing and through bookmaker live streaming for logged-in, funded accounts.
At BettingPro.com.au, we rank the best Australian online betting sites for horse racing every year, with a focus on Cup Carnival markets, early prices, tote products and exotics.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit LimitĀ For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit LimitĀ For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit LimitĀ For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit LimitĀ For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Exclusive 365AUCODE referral code: bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers.18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit LimitĀ For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Basketball
AFL
Cricket
Horse Racing
NRL
Soccer
Tennis
All Sports
American Football
Boxing
Betting Masterclass
eSports
Golf
Greyhounds
Motor Sport
Rugby Union
UFC / MMA
