How to Watch The Melbourne Cup
There are several options for watching the Melbourne Cup 2024. It is not called ‘the race that stops a nation’ for nothing, and catching the action is a priority right across the country.
The raceday is a designated public holiday across most of Victoria, and the rest of the nation tends to pause to tune in. Watching your bet or sweep selection aim to make history in the famous contest draws many eyes. Let us talk you through some of the main ways to watch this year’s race.
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Melbourne Cup Live Streaming with an Online Betting Site
One option to consider for watching the big race is with free Melbourne Cup live streaming from top Australian betting sites.
All you need to stream the Melbourne Cup for free is a betting account with a bookie that is showing the race. You just need to have a funded or active account, this means you must have cash in your betting account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. If there is money in the betting account, there is no requirement to bet. Watch the Melbourne Cup online with BlueBet here.
However, the bonus of using Melbourne Cup live streaming with a bookmaker is that you can also bet on the race and watch all in the same place. You may also want to take advantage of any bonus bet offers too.
Both BlueBet and Dabble rate excellent choices for watching the Melbourne Cup. BlueBet customers have access to Racing.com streams, while Dabble provides coverage from Sky. Do always check with the bookie before joining as coverage can change.
How to Watch The Melbourne Cup on TV
The most popular way to watch the race is on TV. It is always worth checking local broadcasters to see where is showing the action.
As it stands, Channel 9 will be broadcasting the race live for the next six years after signing a new broadcast deal in February 2024 when Channel 7 withdrew from the bidding. They now take over from Channel 10 as the main free-to-air provider.
You can find Channel 9’s host broadcast also on your TV at the Racing.com channel, Channel 78 and 68, or Channel 529 on Foxtel. Sky Racing on Foxtel will have coverage of the Melbourne Cup and the day of racing from Flemington. This will, however, be shown with the usual slight delay.
How To Watch The Melbourne Cup Online
Another option is to stream the race online using your laptop or mobile device as an alternative to TV coverage.
The Melbourne Cup will be transmitted live with Channel 9 via the 9Now streaming service. You can download the 9Now app to your iPhone or Android device and visit the ‘Live’ section of the platform. It is also possible to login to Racing.com’s website to stream the action from there. Another option is to watch on Racing.com with Kayo, which streams the channel to mobile, tablets, and desktop.
How to Watch The Melbourne Cup on Your Phone
As explained above, many of the options for watching the Melbourne Cup online with your computer will also be good options for watching on your phone. That could be with Channel 9’s streaming service and 9Now app, or with your betting site’s app. If you choose a betting site live stream then the best options will have great apps that go hand-in-hand with their live coverage and will be just as good as watching from your computer.
How to Watch the Melbourne Cup for Free
Many of the best options for watching the Melbourne Cup will also be free. If you use an online betting site to stream the action, you only need a funded or active account, which means you don’t need to pay directly for the Melbourne Cup live stream.
Some streaming services will require a subscription fee but this isn’t the case with the 9Now app, where you will get access to the free-to-air television coverage.
How to Watch the Melbourne Cup in NZ
Interest in the Melbourne Cup isn’t limited to Australia. There have been plenty of New Zealand winners of the famous race starting as far back as 1883 when Martini Henry became the first New Zealand-bred horse to secure victory.
There are options to watch the race for those with a New Zealand interest or Aussies living there. The best bet would be to get a Sky Sports subscription and watch the race on TV or with the Sky Sports app. A second option is to get a Racing.com account and watch via the streams available on the site.
How to Watch the Melbourne Cup in the UK
Those in the UK can follow the action with Sky Sports Racing. You will need to get a Sky Sports subscription that includes Sky Sports Racing. Another option is to subscribe to Racing UK and check the schedule. UK bookies with live streaming options will also have the race for free as long as you have a funded or active betting account.
How to Watch the Melbourne Cup in the USA
It is harder to watch the Melbourne Cup from the US compared to the US and New Zealand. You won’t find the race on general TV channels and will have to try and find the action online instead.
The main Australian options, including 9Now or Racing.com, could be an option with an Australian VPN. It could be a case of watch highlights of the race after the fact or using a bookmaker’s stream if possible.
Watch the Melbourne Cup at the Racetrack
Another option is to simply see the Melbourne Cup 2024 live from the racetrack. Every year thousands of race fans attend Flemington to watch the Melbourne Cup live.
More than 80,000 people attended in 2023 and a similar number is expected to pack the stands in 2024. People also put in a lot of effort to dress up for Melbourne Cup Day with designer suits and dresses aplenty away from the track. Tickets are available from Victoria Racing Club for the Melbourne Cup Day and the rest of the carnival.
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