Melbourne Cup Race Time Guide

The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest sporting events to take place each year - not just in Australia, but around the world with a global audience of more than 750 million. It’s important to know the Melbourne Cup date and time in your part of the world so you don’t miss the jump, as well as the three and a half minutes of thrilling action that follows.

Read on to find out what time you can watch the Melbourne Cup in your part of the world.

What time does the Melbourne Cup Start?

The 2025 Melbourne Cup will start at 3:00pm local time with the race being run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria. The first race on Cup Day is scheduled for 10:45am, and the last event on the 10-race card will take place at 5:15pm.

Melbourne Cup Times Around Australia - State by State

With three different time zones in Australia, the Melbourne Cup will take place at a different time depending on which zone you are in. And to complicate things further, Daylight Savings Time (DST) will be in effect, and QLD, Northern Territory and Western Australia do not adjust their clocks for DST. See below for your local start time:

Capital City, State or Territory	Time
Melbourne (Victoria)	3:00pm
Sydney (NSW)	3:00pm
Canberra (ACT)	3:00pm
Brisbane (QLD)	2:00pm
Adelaide (South Australia)	2:30pm
Darwin (Northern Territory)	1:30pm
Perth (Western Australia)	12:00pm
Hobart (Tasmania)	3:00pm

Melbourne Cup Times Around the World?

The Melbourne Cup has attracted an audience of more than 750 million worldwide, with viewers tuning in from around 190 countries. See below for the what time the Melbourne Cup starts in other parts of the world:

City, State or Country	Time
Chicago (Illinois)	12:00am
Los Angeles (California)	12:00am
Honolulu (Hawaii)	12:00am
New York City (New York)	1:00am
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	2:00am
London (England)	5:00am
Dublin (Ireland)	5:00am
Paris (France)	6:00am
Stockholm (Sweden)	6:00am
Helsinki (Finland)	6:00am
Oslo (Norway)	6:00am
Warsaw (Poland)	6:00am
Berlin (Germany)	6:00am
Barcelona (Spain)	6:00am
Rome (Italy)	6:00am
Athens (Greece)	6:00am
Cape Town (South Africa)	7:00am
Dubai (UAE)	9:00am
New Delhi (India)	10:30am
Beijing (China)	12:00pm
Seoul (Korea)	12:00pm
Singapore	12:00pm
Tokyo (Japan)	2:00pm
Auckland (New Zealand)	5:00pm
Anchorage (Alaska)	11:00pm

How to Watch the Melbourne Cup at Start Time

The Melbourne Cup can be watched from hundreds of countries around the world thanks to a number of broadcast deals that have been done to promote the race globally. This comprehensive Melbourne Cup live stream guide will explain how you can watch the Melbourne Cup from your location.

Before you watch the event live, make sure you are up-to-date with the Melbourne Cup field and barrier draw information, and you are armed with expert Melbourne Cup Tips.

Melbourne Cup Time FAQs:

When do the gates open at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day?

The gates open at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day at 8:30am

What time is the first race on Melbourne Cup Day?

The first race on Melbourne Cup Day is the Maribyrnong Plate at 10:45am

When is the last race on Melbourne Cup Day

Melbourne Cup Day finishes off with Race 10, the Channel 9 Trophy, at 5:15pm.

What time is the Melbourne Cup in Victoria?

In Victoria, the Melbourne Cup is scheduled to run at 3pm.

What time is the Melbourne Cup in NSW?

The Melbourne Cup is scheduled to start at 3pm in Sydney, NSW.

What time is the Melbourne Cup in South Australia?

South Australian’s eager to watch the Melbourne Cup can tune in at 2:30pm

What time is the Melbourne Cup in WA?

In Perth, and the rest of Western Australia, the Melbourne Cup takes place at 12:00pm.

What time is the Melbourne Cup in Darwin?

Darwin and Northern Territory viewers can watch the Melbourne Cup at 1:30pm

What time is the Melbourne Cup in QLD?

The Melbourne Cup is set to run at 2:00pm for Queensland residents.

What time is the Melbourne Cup in Tasmania?

The Melbourne Cup is run at 3:00pm Tasmanian time.

What time is the Melbourne Cup in the ACT?

In the Australian Capital Territory, the Melbourne Cup can be watched at 3:00pm.

What time is the Melbourne Cup in New Zealand?

New Zealand residents looking to watch the Melbourne Cup can view the race live at 5:00pm