The Melbourne Cup is expected to draw fewer than 85,000 people to Flemington and continue a long-term decline in television ratings, but organisers are responding with a music festival, improved amenities and by letting the punters wear shorts.

The popularity of the race with younger crowds took a blow in 2019 when pop superstar Taylor Swift cancelled her performance after a public outcry from animal rights activists. The Cup was then hit by the pandemic – it was run without crowds in 2020, and just 10,000 people were allowed in 2021.