2026 Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is an unparalleled four day celebration of racing, food and wine, fashion and glamour. For one week in spring, fabulous Flemington becomes the corporate, social and sporting epicentre of Australia.
With the best thoroughbreds from Australia and around the world taking centre stage throughout the world’s most vibrant racing Carnival, it is a celebration not to be missed and never to be forgotten.
Dates for the 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival have been confirmed:
Howden Victoria Derby Day: Saturday 31 October
Lexus Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 3 November
Crown Oaks Day: Thursday 5 November
TAB Champions Stakes Day: Saturday 7 November
Our 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival packages include official tickets for the Lexus Melbourne Cup as well as accommodation at your choice from a range of centrally located hotels, making it easy to get to and from Flemington Racecourse.
Our Packages
LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP DAY - Tuesday 3rd November, 2026
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is a truly spectacular event and the focal point of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. While most of Australia stops to watch or listen to the race, there’s nothing like being there amongst the 100,000 plus crowd to experience this truly unique event.
The excitement slowly builds to its 3pm fever pitch when everything at the track comes to a stop for 200 heart-pounding seconds. Each year, a new chapter is written, a new legend is made and a new dream comes true as the winning connections take Australia’s most famous sporting trophy.
Package Inclusions
- Check-In: Monday 2 November. Check-Out Wednesday 4 November 2026
Package Cost - Per Person
*Rate includes breakfast daily.
Other hotels are available to quote on request. Please contact us with dates and preferred hotel and we'll get back to you with a quote.
Ticket Upgrades - Price Per Person Net
Book & deposit by Friday 20 February 2026 to receive a FREE upgrade to the Hill Stand!
Hill Stand
Located opposite the Winning Post, the Hill Stand provides spectacular views of the racecourse and the Melbourne city skyline. The Hill Stand is covered, however, the front and sides of the Stand are subject to weather conditions.
Makybe Diva® Marquee
A marquee fit for champions. Take a page from the great horse herself and rise to the top of the entertainment field with a seat in the exquisite Makybe Diva® Marquee. View inclusions here.
Payment Terms
50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. Balance due 31 July 2026. Full payment for hospitality upgrades are due at the time of booking. All payments for Melbourne Cup Carnival packages are fully non-refundable & non-transferable.
HOWDEN VICTORIA DERBY DAY - Saturday 31st October, 2026
Considered one of the most prestigious days of racing in Australasia, featuring a card of nine Group races, four at the elite Group 1 level. The feature Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby – worth A$2 million – is Australia’s premier staying classic for three-year-olds. This is the day for classic elegance, which sets the pace for the entire week. Traditionally, black and white has been the prominent colour scheme for women, while men often chose to wear a grey morning suit, top hat, peacock vest and pin-stripe pants.
LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP DAY - Tuesday 3rd November, 2026
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is a truly spectacular event and the focal point of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. While most of Australia stops to watch or listen to the race, there’s nothing like being there amongst the 100,000 plus crowd to experience this truly unique event. The excitement slowly builds to its 3pm fever pitch when everything at the track comes to a stop for 200 heart-pounding seconds. Each year, a new chapter is written, a new legend is made and a new dream comes true as the winning connections take Australia’s most famous sporting trophy
Package Inclusions
- Check-In: Friday 30 October. Check-Out Wednesday 4 November 2026
Package Cost - Per Person
*Rate includes breakfast daily.
Other hotels are available to quote on request. Please contact us with dates and preferred hotel and we'll get back to you with a quote.
Ticket Upgrades - Price Per Person Net
Book & deposit by Friday 20 February 2026 to receive a FREE upgrade to the Hill Stand!
Hill Stand
Located opposite the Winning Post, the Hill Stand provides spectacular views of the racecourse and the Melbourne city skyline. The Hill Stand is covered, however, the front and sides of the Stand are subject to weather conditions.
Makybe Diva® Marquee
A marquee fit for champions. Take a page from the great horse herself and rise to the top of the entertainment field with a seat in the exquisite Makybe Diva® Marquee. View inclusions here.
Payment Terms
50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. Balance due 1 August 2025. Full payment for hospitality upgrades are due at the time of booking. All payments for Melbourne Cup Carnival packages are fully non-refundable & non-transferable.
LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP DAY - Tuesday 3rd November, 2026
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is a truly spectacular event and the focal point of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. While most of Australia stops to watch or listen to the race, there’s nothing like being there amongst the 100,000 plus crowd to experience this truly unique event.
The excitement slowly builds to its 3pm fever pitch when everything at the track comes to a stop for 200 heart-pounding seconds. Each year, a new chapter is written, a new legend is made and a new dream comes true as the winning connections take Australia’s most famous sporting trophy.
CROWN OAKS DAY - Thursday 5th November, 2026
Known as the ultimate style day of the Carnival, and commonly referred to as ‘ladies day’, women of all ages come together dressed in their most feminine ensemble. The winner of the national competition Fashions on the Field is announced on Crown Oaks Day, reinforcing its importance on the fashion calendar. The racing highlight is the Group 1 VRC Oaks, a A$1 million classic for three-year-old fillies over 2500m.
Package Inclusions
- Check-In: Monday 2 November. Check-Out Friday 6 November 2026
Package Cost - Per Person
*Rate includes breakfast daily.
Other hotels are available to quote on request. Please contact us with dates and preferred hotel and we'll get back to you with a quote.
Ticket Upgrades - Price Per Person Net
Book & deposit by Friday 20 February 2026 to receive a FREE upgrade to the Hill Stand!
Hill Stand
Located opposite the Winning Post, the Hill Stand provides spectacular views of the racecourse and the Melbourne city skyline. The Hill Stand is covered, however, the front and sides of the Stand are subject to weather conditions.
Makybe Diva® Marquee
A marquee fit for champions. Take a page from the great horse herself and rise to the top of the entertainment field with a seat in the exquisite Makybe Diva® Marquee. View inclusions here.
Payment Terms
50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. Balance due 31 July 2026. Full payment for hospitality upgrades are due at the time of booking. All payments for Melbourne Cup Carnival packages are fully non-refundable & non-transferable.
HOWDEN VICTORIA DERBY DAY - Saturday 31st October, 2026
Considered one of the most prestigious days of racing in Australasia, featuring a card of nine Group races, four at the elite Group 1 level. The feature Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby – worth A$2 million – is Australia’s premier staying classic for three-year-olds. The fashion stakes are equally high with the Fashions on the Field competition. This is the day for classic elegance, which sets the pace for the entire week. Traditionally, black and white has been the prominent colour scheme for women, while men often chose to wear a grey morning suit, top hat, peacock vest and pin-stripe pants.
LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP DAY - Tuesday 3rd November, 2026
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is a truly spectacular event and the focal point of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. While most of Australia stops to watch or listen to the race, there’s nothing like being there amongst the 100,000 plus crowd to experience this truly unique event.
The excitement slowly builds to its 3pm fever pitch when everything at the track comes to a stop for 200 heart-pounding seconds. Each year, a new chapter is written, a new legend is made and a new dream comes true as the winning connections take Australia’s most famous sporting trophy.
CROWN OAKS DAY - Thursday 5th November, 2026
Known as the ultimate style day of the Carnival, and commonly referred to as ‘ladies day’, women of all ages come together dressed in their most feminine ensemble. The winner of the national competition Fashions on the Field is announced on Crown Oaks Day, reinforcing its importance on the fashion calendar. The racing highlight is the Group 1 VRC Oaks, a A$1 million classic for three-year-old fillies over 2500m.
Package Inclusions
- Check-In: Friday 30 October. Check-Out Friday 6 November 2026
Package Cost - Per Person
*Rate includes breakfast daily.
Other hotels are available to quote on request. Please contact us with dates and preferred hotel and we'll get back to you with a quote.
Ticket Upgrades - Price Per Person Net
Book & deposit by Friday 20 February 2026 to receive a FREE upgrade to the Hill Stand!
Hill Stand
Located opposite the Winning Post, the Hill Stand provides spectacular views of the racecourse and the Melbourne city skyline. The Hill Stand is covered, however, the front and sides of the Stand are subject to weather conditions.
Makybe Diva® Marquee
A marquee fit for champions. Take a page from the great horse herself and rise to the top of the entertainment field with a seat in the exquisite Makybe Diva® Marquee. View inclusions here.
Payment Terms
50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. Balance due 31 July 2026. Full payment for hospitality upgrades are due at the time of booking. All payments for Melbourne Cup Carnival packages are fully non-refundable & non-transferable.
