This isn't going to be your typical Melbourne Cup. Unseasonably wet weather — a forecasted 20-40mm on Monday and 10mm on Tuesday — means that Flemington Racecourse will be a Soft 7 or Heavy 8 come post time, which should swing the AU$10 million race firmly towards Al Riffa and Half Yours. At least most of the punters will have hats handy.
You can watch Melbourne Cup 2025 live streams from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE.
The 2025 Melbourne Cup takes place on Tuesday, November 3.
► Post time: 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT / 4 a.m. GMT (Tue.) / 3 p.m. AEDT (Tue.)
• FREE STREAM — 9Now (Australia)
• FREE STREAM — TVNZ Plus (New Zealand)
• U.S. — FOX One / FS2 via Sling
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
"The race that soaks the nation" feels like an apt tagline for the 165th edition of the Melbourne Cup. Run over 3,200m, which is just shy of two miles, in good conditions it's a race for stayers. With the amount of rain that's come down, it's going to feel like a marathon. Two of the pre-race favorites, however, won't mind that.
Al Riffa was trained on European mud, and has won six of seven races in similar conditions. Since finishing second at Royal Ascot, he's embarked on a winning streak, triumphing at the Group 2 Curragh Cup and Group 1 Irish St Leger, and trainer Joseph O'Brien has two Melbourne Cup victories under his belt. However, Al Riffa will be carrying the most weight.
Having won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup a few weeks ago, Half Yours could become only the 13th horse to win the double, and that's not all. Jockey Jamie Melham is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Michelle Payne, to date the Melbourne Cup's only female winning jockey. Half Yours' track record of three wins from five on soft ground and one from one in heavy conditions bodes well.
Here's how to watch Melbourne Cup 2025 from anywhere in the world, and potentially for free.
How to watch Melbourne Cup 2025 for FREE
You can watch Melbourne Cup 2025 free-of-charge on 9Now in Australia and on TVNZ Plus in New Zealand.
All you need is an account and you'll be good to go.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch the action as if you were right at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options and we'll show you how to access it below.
Watch Melbourne Cup 2025 from anywhere
Away from home and blocked from watching Melbourne Cup 2025?
You can still watch your usual horse racing live streams thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software makes your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Ideal for football fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
It's really easy to use a VPN to watch Melbourne Cup 2025.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you want to watch your 9Now stream of the race, choose 'Australia' from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to 9Now, sign in, and watch the Melbourne Cup live.
How to watch Melbourne Cup 2025 live streams in the U.S.
Horse racing fans in the U.S. can watch Melbourne Cup 2025 on FS2.
The channel is available through the Sports Extra addon on Sling. Plans start from $45.99/month, though some new users can get their first month half-price. The addon is an additional $11.
FS2 is also part of Fubo's Sports + News plan, which costs $55.99/month after a 7-day free trial, though you'll get your first month for $45.99. It's available through OTT streamers YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV too, which also offer a free trial to new users.
Alternatively, FOX One carries all FOX channels bar FOX Soccer Plus, and costs $19.99/month or $199.99/year after a 7-day free trial, but for a limited time you can bundle it with ESPN Unlimited for $39.99/month.
Not at home right now? You can access Sling, Fubo or FOX One through NordVPN.
How to watch Melbourne Cup 2025 live streams in Canada
In Canada, Melbourne Cup 2025 is being shown on Sportsnet.
You can stream the race live on Sportsnet Plus, which starts at CA$29.99/month CA$249.99/year.
If you live in Canada but aren't at home right now, you can still watch Melbourne Cup live streams by using a quality VPN like NordVPN to unlock your usual service.
How to watch Melbourne Cup 2025 live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., Melbourne Cup 2025 coverage is being provided by Sky Sports Racing.
Packages start from £22/month if you're an existing customer — check out Sky TV deals and packages if you want to sign up. Alternatively, Now Sports offers Daily, Monthly and Annual passes. Prices start at £14.99 for 24-hour access.
If you're abroad right now you can still follow your usual Melbourne Cup live stream by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch Melbourne Cup 2025 live streams in Australia
In Australia, Melbourne Cup 2025 is free-to-air on Channel 9, with live streaming available via the 9Now platform.
Outside Australia for the race? Use NordVPN to watch your preferred coverage while abroad.
Melbourne Cup 2025 runners and riders
Al Riffa — Mark Zahra
Buckaroo — Craig Williams
Arapaho — Rachel King
Vauban — Blake Shinn
Chevalier Rose — Damian Lane
Resage Nocturne — Stephane Pasquier
Middle Earth — Ethan Brown
Meydaan — James McDonald
Absurde — Kerrin McEvoy
Flatten The Curve — Thore-Hammer Hansen
Land Legend — Joao Moreira
Smokin’ Romans — Ben Melham
Changingoftheguard — Tim Clark
Half Yours — Jamie Melham
More Felons — Tommy Berry
Onesmoothoperator — Harry Coffey
Furthur — Michael Dee
Parchment Party — John Velazquez
Athabascan — Declan Bates
Goodie Two Shoes — Wayne Lordan
River Of Stars — Beau Mertens
Royal Supremacy — Robbie Dolan
Torranzino — Celine Gaudray
Valiant King — Jye McNeil
More from Tom's Guide
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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