The Melbourne Cup is one of the most famous horse races in the world. Because of its excitement across Australia, it’s often called “the race that stops a nation.”
Held every year at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, this event draws millions of local and global viewers into horse racing or just enjoying the day’s festivities.
In 2024, the Melbourne Cup promises to deliver another thrilling race with some of the best horses, jockeys, and trainers competing. It’s not just about the race-it’s a fun day with fashion, celebrations, and plenty of action.
If you’re planning to watch, this guide has everything you need, from race times and TV channels to how you can stream it live so that you won’t miss a thing.
2024 Melbourne Cup Race at a glance
| Date | Tuesday, November 5, 2024 |
| Location: | Melbourne Cup Carnival, Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 3,200 metres |
| Surface: | Grass |
| Race Time | 3 pm AEDT |
| Broadcaster | Nine Network (Australia), Sky Sports (UK), TSN Network (Canada) |
| Live Stream Free | Watch Here |
When and Where is the Melbourne Cup 2024?
The Melbourne Cup 2024 is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. This event will see thousands of spectators flock to the racecourse, while millions of fans will tune in from across the globe.
What is the Melbourne Cup 2024 Start Time?
The main race starts at 3:00 PM AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time). However, if you’re located in other parts of Australia, here’s when the race will begin in your time zone:
- Sydney, Melbourne (AEDT): 3:00 PM
- Brisbane (AEST – Australian Eastern Standard Time): 2:00 PM
- Adelaide (ACDT – Australian Central Daylight Time): 2:30 PM
- Perth (AWST – Australian Western Standard Time): 12:00 PM
- Darwin (ACST – Australian Central Standard Time): 1:30 PM
- Hobart (AEDT): 3:00 PM
Make sure to tune in earlier to catch pre-race coverage, interviews, and expert analysis!
How to Watch Melbourne Cup 2024 in Australia?
In Australia, there are plenty of options to watch the Melbourne Cup 2024. Channel 9 will broadcast the race live for free, marking a new era after taking over from Channel 10. This is the simplest way to enjoy all the action on your TV without any cost, as Channel 9 has secured the broadcast rights from 2024 to 2029.
For those who prefer streaming, you can watch the Melbourne Cup live on 9Now, which offers free streaming across various devices like smartphones or tablets. Simply visit their website or download the 9Now app to access the stream.
Additionally, Racing.com provides comprehensive coverage of horse racing, including the Melbourne Cup. You can watch the event on TV via Channel 78 (metro areas) or 68 (regional areas) or stream it through their app.
For those using mobile apps, both TAB and Racing.com apps are great options for live streaming, especially if you’re interested in checking odds and placing bets during the race
How to Live Stream the Melbourne Cup in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, you can live stream the Melbourne Cup 2024 through Sky Sport, which provides full coverage. If you’re already a Sky subscriber, you can stream the race using the Sky Go app on your mobile devices or computer.
For those without Sky Sport, you can use Sky Sport Now, a streaming service that doesn’t require a full Sky subscription. It’s perfect if you just want to watch the Melbourne Cup and other sports without committing to a long-term package.
How to Watch Melbourne Cup 2024 in the United States?
If you’re in the U.S., there are several ways to watch the Melbourne Cup. Racing.com provides a live stream, but you’ll need a subscription.
You can also use a VPN to watch the race on 10Play, the official streaming service of Channel 10 in Australia.
Additionally, the TVG Network offers live coverage of the Melbourne Cup.
For those looking for streaming services, FuboTV includes TVG in its channel lineup and offers a free trial, allowing you to catch the race live without any upfront cost. The race starts at 3 p.m. AEDT, which is midnight EST or 9 p.m. PST in the U.S.
How to Live Stream Race in Canada?
In Canada, TSN (The Sports Network) will broadcast the Melbourne Cup on TSN 2. Coverage starts around 9:30 PM ET, with the race happening at 11 PM ET. If you already have TSN, you can stream it via the TSN app or website by signing in with your provider. If you don’t have cable, TSN Plus offers a streaming subscription for about CA$8/month.
Another option is Racing.com, where you’ll need to set up an account to access the Melbourne Cup live stream. FuboTV is another flexible option that includes TVG, offering a free trial as well.
How to Watch the Melbourne Cup Online in the UK?
If you’re in the UK, the Melbourne Cup 2024 will be broadcast on Sky Sports Racing, which is your best option if you have a Sky Sports subscription. For those who don’t have Sky, you can purchase a NOW TV Sports Pass. A day pass costs £11.99, giving you access to Sky Sports channels for 24 hours.
For even more flexibility, you can use a VPN to access Australian coverage from 10Play or Racing.com, which stream the race for free. Just connect to an Australian server using a VPN to enjoy the race from abroad.
Where to Stream Melbourne Cup 2024 in Ireland?
In Ireland, the race will be shown live on Virgin Media One. You can stream it for free using the Virgin Media Player, which works on most devices, including smartphones and tablets.
If you’re outside Ireland, use a VPN to connect to an Irish server and access the stream.
How to Stream Melbourne Cup Race from Anywhere?
If you want to stream the Melbourne Cup 2024 from anywhere, you can use streaming platforms with a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions. Services like 10Play in Australia offer free streams, but are restricted to Australian users. Using a VPN, connect to an Australian server to access the stream. Similarly, Racing.com offers live coverage but may have restrictions based on location.
In the UK, you can watch the race on Sky Sports Racing or purchase a NOW TV Sports Pass. With a VPN, you can enjoy streams from different regions by connecting to the appropriate servers.
Can I Watch the Melbourne Cup Live Stream Free?
Yes, you can watch the Melbourne Cup live stream for free in some regions. In Australia, 10Play offers a free live stream.
In Ireland, Virgin Media One broadcasts the race, and you can stream it for free on Virgin Media Player. If you’re outside these countries, using a VPN to connect to the appropriate servers will allow you to access the free streams.
Melbourne Cup 2024 FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
The Melbourne Cup is more than just a horse race; it’s an iconic cultural event in Australia, often referred to as “the race that stops a nation.” It’s a public holiday in the state of Victoria, and the entire country celebrates with parties, parades, and fashion events leading up to the race.
Bets can be placed through several bookmakers in Australia and internationally. Online platforms like TAB, Ladbrokes, and Sportsbet are popular choices. International viewers can also bet through websites offering Melbourne Cup odds, including some that provide live streaming services.
The Melbourne Cup is the highlight of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, a week-long event that includes other notable races such as the Victoria Derby and Oaks Day. The carnival blends racing, fashion, and social events, making it a major attraction.
The Melbourne Cup is open to horses aged three years and older, and it typically features a mix of Australian and international horses. Horses from Europe, Japan, and New Zealand often travel to Australia to compete.
The Melbourne Cup goes ahead regardless of weather conditions. Flemington Racecourse has high-quality turf designed to handle wet conditions, but heavy rain can sometimes affect the track’s firmness.
The prize pool for the Melbourne Cup 2024 is AUD $8 million, with the winning horse receiving a whopping AUD $4.4 million. The remaining prize money is distributed among the next top eleven finishers.
The Melbourne Cup is a 3,200-meter (2-mile) race, making it one of the longest flat horse races in the world. This distance challenges both the stamina of the horses and the strategy of the jockeys.
The race typically features a field of 24 horses, which includes the top competitors from Australia and abroad.
The Melbourne Cup is a handicap race, meaning each horse is assigned a weight based on its past performance and rating to level the playing field. This weight can significantly impact the horse’s speed and stamina throughout the long-distance race.
Melbourne Cup Day is about much more than just the race. It’s a day full of fashion, with spectators dressing in extravagant outfits and competing for best-dressed awards.
The famous “Fashions on the Field” competition showcases high fashion, particularly bold hats and bright colors.
The winner of the Melbourne Cup 2023 was Gold Trip, who took the crown at odds of 20/1. If you’re curious about past winners, you can find the list on Racing.com.
The Melbourne Cup 2024 is set to be a spectacular event that will captivate racing fans across the globe. Whether you’re watching from Australia, the U.S., Canada, or anywhere else, there are plenty of streaming options to ensure you don’t miss a second of the action.
So, plan ahead, choose your preferred platform, and get ready to witness one of the world’s greatest horse races!