Ticket squeeze for Melbourne Cup after tiny public allocation

A crowd of 10,000 will be allowed back at the Melbourne Cup, but there’s a catch — only a tiny allocation of tickets will be available to the public.

Victorians hoping to return to the Melbourne Cup face an unprecedented rush for the hottest tickets in town with only 500 seats to be available to the public.

With crowds to be capped at 10,000 for the Cup, Victoria Oaks and Stakes Day, Flemington is set for an unprecedented seat squeeze when the Cup Carnival returns from a year without spectators.

But just 500 general admission tickets will go on sale for each of those race days, with the lion’s share of seats to be given to Victoria Racing Club members.

VRC members will receive 7000 tickets, more than 70 per cent of the allocation.

Owners of competing horses, corporate partners, sponsors and the public will share the rest.

It means general admission punters hoping to make their long awaited return to Cup Carnival will have to try their luck via Ticketek, with no ballot system to operate.

A small crowd will be allowed back at the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty

VRC chairman Neil Wilson said he was grateful to again host crowds

and demonstrate that Victoria can reopen safely.

“The VRC is incredibly proud that this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival is playing a role to

revive major events in Victoria,” he said.

“Over 4,000 jobs have been generated at Flemington alone by the staging of this year’s

event, supporting the events, hospitality and retail industries that have been so greatly

impacted over the past 18 months.’’

Only fully vaccinated fans wearing masks and following health rules will be allowed at Flemington for the Cup Carnival.

All spectators will have a reserved seat, with tickets for the general public, including access to the famous Flemington front lawn, to be sold for $129.

Crowds will be capped at 10,000 for the Cup, Victoria Oaks and Stakes Day. Picture: Getty

General admission ticket holders will not be able to roam around the racecourse, with three dedicated spectator zones to be set up to ensure the event is Covid safe.

Fans will need to show proof of vaccination to gain entry.

They must wear masks indoors and outdoors and be seated when they are eating or drinking.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on October 29 and to VRC members on October 26.

A decision on whether crowds will be allowed on Derby Day, on October 30, is still being discussed between the state government and VRC.

VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said striking the right balance with ticket allocation was challenging.

“The loyalty and support of our members, owners and partners has been outstanding and we can’t wait to welcome racing fans back to Flemington and present world class racing across the Melbourne Cup Carnival,’’ he said.

Up to 100,000 people usually attend the Cup, with a record crowd of 122,736 packing the course in 2003 to watch Makybe Diva win the first of three times.