The Melbourne Cup can be watched live on Nine/Nine Now in Australia, with Nine's coverage starting around 10:00am AEDT on race day, and 9Now offering a free live stream after creating a free account. Outside Australia, live streaming options vary by country and broadcaster. What to watch and how
- Australia: Channel Nine (TV) and the 9Now live stream. You’ll need a free Nine account to stream on 9Now, but access is complimentary. If you’re in a metro area, you can also watch via Racing.com platforms where Nine is the official broadcast partner for Cup Carnival events.
- International access: Some regions can stream via services carrying the event (for example, US users may access certain broadcasters or streaming packages that carry Nine’s coverage or equivalent rights). A VPN can enable access to regional streams where permitted, though ensure compliance with local rights and laws.
- Additional coverage: ABC Sport in Australia provides live digital coverage alongside Nine, with updates, analysis, and replays available online.
Key timing details (approximate)
- Melbourne Cup meeting main event typically runs in the mid-to-late afternoon Australian time, with post time around 3:00pm–3:30pm AEDT on Cup Day, depending on the race schedule for that year. Channel Nine’s broadcast starts earlier in the day with precursor races and build-up.
- If you’re watching via 9Now, sign in to your free account and navigate to Melbourne Cup Carnival live streams. Coverage is live and continuous through the day’s races.
Caveats and tips
- Weather and track conditions can affect coverage windows and race times; check the day’s official broadcast guide or the Nine/9Now schedule for real-time timing.
- For fans outside Australia, confirm regional rights and availability before relying on streaming options, and consider legal, licensed streams or broadcaster listings in the respective country.
Direct answer
- To watch the Melbourne Cup live: use Nine’s TV broadcast in Australia, or stream live via 9Now (free account required). If you’re outside Australia, look for a licensed international broadcaster or streaming option in your country, and consider using a VPN only where legally permitted to access regional streams.
