Melbourne Cup Interest Hits Record Low

A Guardian Essential poll finds a record share of Australians have little or no interest in the race.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Equestrian

Live Poll

Do you plan to watch or bet on the Melbourne Cup this year?

A Guardian Essential poll of 1,003 Australians conducted in late October found 68% have low or no interest in the Melbourne Cup, the highest on record. Only 9% said they have high interest, while 32% combined high and moderate interest, the lowest since the question was first asked in November 2022.

Why it matters

The poll points to a shift in how Australians view the race, with concerns about gambling and animal welfare weighing on public enthusiasm. Its declining appeal could matter for a national event long considered part of the country's cultural identity.

The annual Guardian Essential poll of 1,003 Australians found 39% have no interest and 29% low interest in the Melbourne Cup. Half of respondents believe the race promotes unhealthy gambling, while 62% still agree it is a unique part of Australia's national identity.

The players

The Guardian Essential poll

A recurring Australian public opinion poll run by Guardian Australia and Essential that tracks social and political attitudes over time.

The details

Respondents rated their interest in the Melbourne Cup as high, moderate, low or none. The poll found 50% believe the race promotes unhealthy gambling and 36% say it normalises animal cruelty. Growing disdain for gambling is identified as the key driver of falling interest, with the 'nup to the Cup' movement, backed by some politicians and celebrities, also contributing.

November 2022: Essential began asking the Melbourne Cup interest question annually.
2019: 78% agreed the Cup was part of national identity, when Essential first asked.
Late October 2026: The Guardian Essential poll of 1,003 Australians was conducted.
Tuesday 3 November 2026: The Melbourne Cup race is held.

Roadmap

The poll series began in November 2022 and has tracked a steady decline in interest in the race since then. The latest results show the lowest combined high and moderate interest and the highest combined low and no interest recorded by the survey.

The results suggest fewer Australians are likely to follow the race or join office sweeps and wagers tied to it. Readers planning to watch the 3 November 2026 race may find the event's public profile is changing from what it was when the poll began.

The takeaway

Declining interest in the Melbourne Cup reflects shifting public views on gambling and animal welfare, even as most Australians still see the race as part of their national identity. Readers can track how these attitudes evolve in future polling.