seasons
Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2026: dates and a visitor's guide
Key 2026 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival dates, from the 150th Caulfield Cup on 17 October to the Melbourne Cup on 3 November, with tips for visitors.
Published 17 October 2026
The 2026 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival runs from 29 August to 29 November, with 22 Group 1 races. It is headlined by the 150th Caulfield Cup on Saturday 17 October and the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 3 November (Racing Victoria). In 2026 the Cox Plate moves to Flemington on 24 October while Moonee Valley is redeveloped (VRC).
| Big days of spring 2026 | Date | Course | Feature race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caulfield Guineas Day | Sat 10 October | Caulfield | Caulfield Guineas (G1, 1600m) |
| Caulfield Cup Day | Sat 17 October | Caulfield | Caulfield Cup (G1, 2400m), 5:15pm AEDT |
| Cox Plate Day | Sat 24 October | Flemington (2026 only) | Cox Plate (G1, 2040m) |
| Victoria Derby Day | Sat 31 October | Flemington | Victoria Derby (G1, 2500m) |
| Melbourne Cup Day | Tue 3 November | Flemington | Melbourne Cup (G1, 3200m) |
Sources: Racing Victoria, VRC, Racing.com.
Photo: Rising Fast, Ern McQuillan, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Rising Fast won the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in 1954.
Spring racing is one of the main reasons people visit Melbourne between October and early November. If you are planning a trip around it, the dates and courses below are the first things to fix.
What are the key dates of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival?
Racing Victoria released the 2026 programs in July. The carnival has 22 Group 1 races between late August and late November (Racing Victoria). Most visitors focus on the five days in the table above, which sit across four consecutive weekends plus Melbourne Cup Tuesday.
When is the Caulfield Cup 2026?
The Caulfield Cup is on Saturday 17 October 2026, starting at 5:15pm AEDT. It is the 150th running of a race first held in 1879. The race is a Group 1 handicap over 2400 metres, raced anti-clockwise at Caulfield. For 2026 the Melbourne Racing Club lifted prize money to $6 million, with $3.3 million to the winner (Racing.com).
The day has a 10-race card from 12:15pm to 5:50pm AEDT, including the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at 3:45pm. For a race-by-race overview and recent winners, see the Caulfield Cup 2026 feature-race guide on Race.com.au, an independent racing site. The MRC is the official source for tickets and the program.
What is different about spring 2026?
- Cox Plate at Flemington. Moonee Valley is offline for redevelopment, so the Cox Plate runs at Flemington on Saturday 24 October 2026 for the first time (VRC).
- A bigger Caulfield Cup. The 150th Cup carries record prize money, listed by Racing Victoria at $6.55 million including trophies.
- Caulfield resurfacing. After the Cup, Caulfield's track will be fully resurfaced. Feature meetings on 14 and 28 November move to Sandown.
Where are the courses?
| Course | Getting there |
|---|---|
| Caulfield | Train to Caulfield station (less than 100m from the course) on the Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines; tram route 3 |
| Flemington | Racecourse train line on major race days, or trams along Racecourse Road |
Book accommodation early for Melbourne Cup week. Caulfield and Flemington are both close to the CBD, so a central hotel works for both.
How do I watch if I am not at the track?
Seven and 7plus show the major Saturday meetings free-to-air, including Caulfield Cup Day from 12pm AEDT in Melbourne and Sydney (7NEWS). Racing.com streams Victorian meetings and is on channels 68/78, Foxtel 529 and Kayo. The Melbourne Cup itself is broadcast on Nine and Racing.com.
Tips for spring racing visitors
- Check ticket status early. Big days can sell out. The MRC listed general Caulfield Cup tickets as sold out ahead of 17 October.
- Plan transport. Trains are the easiest option on major race days.
- Check the weather. Melbourne spring weather changes fast, so pack a layer.
- Know the dress codes. Members' areas have stricter rules than general admission.
- Use official results. Racing.com and the clubs publish official results once stewards confirm them.
Can I combine racing with a Melbourne tour?
Yes. Spring is a good time for day trips from Melbourne. Plan tours for days without racing, as roads and trains near the courses get busy on race days. See our Melbourne guide for ideas.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival? Racing Victoria lists it from 29 August to 29 November 2026, with 22 Group 1 races.
When is the Caulfield Cup 2026? Saturday 17 October 2026 at 5:15pm AEDT, at Caulfield Racecourse. It is the 150th running.
Where is the 2026 Cox Plate? At Flemington on Saturday 24 October 2026, because Moonee Valley is being redeveloped.
When is the Melbourne Cup 2026? Tuesday 3 November 2026 at Flemington, 17 days after the Caulfield Cup.
Where do I find official results? On Racing.com and the race clubs' websites, once stewards confirm them.
Information only, not betting advice. We checked these details against the Melbourne Racing Club, Racing Victoria and Racing.com on 17 October 2026. Times and arrangements can change on the day, so confirm with the official sources linked above. Race.com.au is an independent racing information site, not the official race organiser; the Melbourne Racing Club runs the Caulfield Cup. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Gamble responsibly.