The Melbourne Cup race is held every year on the first Tuesday in November, with the 2026 Melbourne Cup scheduled for Tuesday 3 November 2026, typically run at about 3:00 pm local time in Melbourne.

Key date and pattern

  • The Melbourne Cup is always run on the first Tuesday in November each year.
  • In 2026, Melbourne Cup Day falls on Tuesday 3 November, which is when the main race is scheduled.
  • The feature race at Flemington traditionally jumps at around 3:00 pm (15:00) local time in Victoria.

Quick scoop style recap

  • If you are planning ahead, just remember: first Tuesday of November is “the race that stops the nation.”
  • For 2025 it is on 4 November, and then 3 November in 2026, and 2 November in 2027, all still on a Tuesday.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.