Melbourne Cup Day 2026 Australia

Melbourne Cup Day has been a public holiday in Victoria since 1877, making Melbourne one of the first cities in the world to declare a holiday for a horse race. The Cup has been run at Flemington Racecourse since 1861.

Known as 'the race that stops a nation', the Melbourne Cup is watched by millions across Australia. In Victoria, workplace sweepstakes, fashions on the field, and long lunches are the norm. The race covers 3,200 metres and typically starts at 3pm Melbourne time.