Melbourne Cup 2026

The Lexus Melbourne Cup, 'the race that stops a nation,' is Australia's most prestigious thoroughbred horse race, run over 3,200 metres at Flemington Racecourse. The 2026 running is on Tuesday, November 3, at 3pm. It is the centrepiece of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival held October 31 to November 7, 2026, and a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne, famed for high-stakes racing, fashion and elaborate hats in the grandstands.

The Melbourne Cup is run at Flemington Racecourse, a few kilometres northwest of central Melbourne. Fly into Melbourne Airport (MEL, Tullamarine), then take the SkyBus to Southern Cross Station in the city centre. On race day a dedicated Flemington Racecourse train line runs special express services direct to the on-course station from Flemington Racecourse platform at Southern Cross. It's the easiest option by far — parking is limited and roads are gridlocked. Services are frequent before and after the race, so allow extra time for the crowds heading trackside.