TV Guide: How to watch the Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup hosts outside Flemington Racecourse

The big race starts at 3pm. Here’s what you need to know

Nine will broadcast live and free coverage of the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, 5 November. starting with the Today show coverage from Flemington.

There are 24 horses and jockeys in this year’s race held at Flemington Racecourse, often known in Australia as “the race that stops the nation”.

What time is the Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup will start at 3pm (AEDT) and will be the eighth race of the day.

It will be shown at 2.30pm (ACDT) in South Australia, 2pm (AEST) in Queensland, 1.30pm (ACST) in Northern Territory and 12pm (AWST) in Western Australia.

Nine is the official broadcaster of the event, and it has assembled a team of hosts and commentators to celebrate the spirit, fashion, and high-stakes action that defines the day.

The race will also be streamed on 9Now.

Who is hosting the Melbourne Cup?

Leading the charge is Eddie McGuire who will bring viewers all the trackside excitement from Nine’s on-course studio. He will be joined by James Bracey in the Mounting Yard who will capture the live energy of the races. Francesca Cumani will also provide in-depth analysis.

Grace Ramage and David Gately will guide fans through the racing form, while Billy Slater will share exclusive on-track interviews with winning jockeys.

Tony Jones will bring audiences even closer to the action with Mounting Yard interviews, delivering an insider’s perspective.

Cup-winning jockey and Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador Michelle Payne OAM joins the team while reporting live from the Birdcage will be Clint Stanaway, Sylvia Jeffreys, Jelena Dokic and Olympic champion Jessica Fox.

The broadcast will also highlight the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s celebrated Fashions on the Field. With live-streaming options on 9Now, fans can watch exclusive fashion coverage and access additional content like preview shows, highlights and race replays.

Following the Lexus Melbourne Cup will be Crown Oaks Day on Thursday, November 7, and concludes with TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, November 9.

In addition, the teams from 9News Melbourne, Today, and Weekend Today, led by Alicia Loxley, Tom Steinfort, Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo, Clint Stanaway and Sophie Walsh, will be broadcasting live from Flemington, adding exclusive insights to Cup week and engaging audiences with stories beyond the track.

This year marks the first in a multi-year broadcast, media, and sponsorship agreement between the Victoria Racing Club, Tabcorp and Nine Entertainment, bringing the Melbourne Cup Carnival to audiences from 2024 to 2029.

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