FROM SATURDAY OCTOBER 31 AT 11.30AM AEDT

Australia’s greatest spring racing showcase returns for 2026 with full, live and free coverage of all four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, starting Saturday, October 31, at 11.30am AEDT on Channel 9 and 9Now.

The world-class broadcast begins with Howden Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, October 31, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, November 3. The excitement continues through VRC Crown Oaks Day on Thursday, November 5, before culminating in a blockbuster finish with TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, November 7.

To capture every moment of the top-tier racing, high fashion and marquee entertainment throughout the four-day festival, Nine has reunited an elite broadcast lineup.

Steering the coverage from Nine’s central studio, host Eddie McGuire will guide viewers through the non-stop action and atmosphere at Flemington. Down in the mounting yard, host James Bracey is joined by global racing authority Francesca Cumani, with her renowned expertise, sharp form analysis and insights into the domestic contenders and the international challengers descending on the rich carnival.

Building on his standout role in previous coverage, NRL legend and former trackwork rider Billy Slater returns to catch the winning jockeys out on the track for their raw, immediate post-race reactions. Punters will stay ahead of the game with the form breakdown and mounting yard selections from David Gately and Ally Mosley, while Tony Jones covers the horse stalls and mounting enclosure, interviewing star guests to share the stories behind every victory.

Off the track, the energy, style and star-studded guest list of Flemington’s famed Birdcage will come to life through Jelena Dokic, Scherri-Lee Biggs and Felix von Hofe, bringing viewers exclusive access to the ultimate raceday social spectacle.

And Australia’s number one race caller, Matthew Hill, will be in the commentary box to call the 166th running of the race that stops the nation, the Lexus Melbourne Cup, capturing all the drama of the world’s richest handicap.

High fashion takes centre stage with the Fashions on the Field competition, as Nine’s roving broadcast taps into the show-stopping style and elegance across the Fashion Garden and the Birdcage. Meanwhile, 9Now, will be packed with exclusive content including race previews, documentaries, post-race interviews and deep dives into the glorious heritage of the Cup carnival.

In addition, Nine entertainment reporter Renee Bargh will be on the ground in Melbourne on Cup Day to bring viewers all the top entertainment from behind the scenes. She will be joined by Today sports reporter Michael Atkinson covering all the action, while Taylor Haynes and Iza Staskowski deliver live weather updates on Derby and Cup day from Flemington.

Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said: “As we enter the third year of our partnership with the Victoria Racing Club, we couldn’t be prouder of the momentum we have built together.

“The Melbourne Cup Carnival remains an iconic pillar of the Australian sports calendar, anchored by the legendary race itself. Across four massive days of world-class racing, glamour and entertainment, our team is set to deliver every breathtaking moment, both on and off the track, to audiences nationwide across Nine’s platforms.”

Catch all the racing action live and free, starting with Howden Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, October 31, on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Monday 26 October, 2026