A record 68% of Australians now have low or no interest in the Melbourne Cup, the highest share since polling on the question began, according to the Guardian Essential poll. Just 9% of the 1,003 Australians surveyed in late October said they had high interest in the race, down 7 percentage points from 2025, while 23% reported moderate interest.
When Essential began asking the question in November 2022, the combined low and no-interest share was 52%. It rose to 62% in 2023, eased to 52% in 2024 and reached 56% in 2025. The "nup to the Cup" movement, backed by some high-profile politicians and celebrities, has contributed to the decline.
The combined high and moderate interest figure of 32% is the lowest on record. Among individual responses, 29% of voters said they had low interest, up 5 points from last year, and 39% said they had no interest at all, up 8 points. The 9% high-interest figure is nearly half the level recorded in 2025.
Peter Lewis, chair of Essential Media, said: "The race that once stopped the nation is now just white noise for many." "The key driver appears to be a growing disdain for gambling, although concern for animal cruelty comes a close second," he said. "More broadly this reflects the decline in unifying atonal moments in a world where more and more people have their experiences mediated by targeted advertising algorithms."
Despite the slide, 62% of Australians still agreed the Cup was a unique part of Australia's national identity, down from 78% when Essential asked the question in 2019. Half of respondents said the Cup promotes unhealthy gambling behaviour, up 3 points since 2025, while 36% said they felt the Cup normalises animal cruelty, down 3 points. Another 48% said they were less interested in the Cup than they used to be.
Only 12% of voters said they regularly wagered on horse races and would bet on Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, down 5 points from 2025, while 46% said they were not interested and would not place a bet, up 6 points. A further 25% said they rarely bet on horses but would watch the race and place a bet, and 17% said they would watch but not bet.
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Australians' level of interest in the Melbourne Cup
%
Combined low and no interest: 68%. Source: Guardian Essential poll of 1,003 Australians, late October
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Analysis
Why This Matters
The Melbourne Cup has long been one of Australia's defining cultural events, and a record 68% low or no-interest reading signals its hold on the national audience is weakening.
The poll points to shifting public attitudes on gambling and animal welfare, which could shape future debate about the racing industry and its sponsors.
Betting participation is also declining, with only 12% of Australians saying they intend to wager on this year's race.
Background
The Melbourne Cup is an annual thoroughbred horse race held on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, and has traditionally drawn large crowds and a national television audience. Essential has tracked interest in the Cup since November 2022, when the combined low and no-interest share was 52%; it has fluctuated since, reaching a record 68% this year.
Key Perspectives
Peter Lewis, chair of Essential Media: says the race "that once stopped the nation is now just white noise for many", and that the key driver of declining interest is growing disdain for gambling, with concern for animal cruelty a close second; he links the trend to the decline of unifying national moments in an era of targeted advertising.
The "nup to the Cup" movement: backed by some high-profile politicians and celebrities, the campaign has contributed to declining support for the race.
What to Watch
Whether next year's Essential poll shows the low and no-interest share climbing further from the record 68%.
How the racing industry and Cup organisers respond to the findings, particularly on gambling and animal welfare concerns.
Whether actual betting on Tuesday's race reflects the poll's finding that only 12% of Australians intend to wager.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedA record 68% of Australians have low or no interest in the Melbourne Cup.Australia news | The Guardian: “The combined low and no interest vote was 68%, jumping 12 points from last year to its highest on record.”
SupportedJust 9% had high interest in the Cup, down 7 percentage points from 2025.Australia news | The Guardian: “Just 9% of people said they had high interest in the Cup, down 7 percentage points from 2025”
SupportedThe poll surveyed 1,003 Australians in late October.Australia news | The Guardian: “The Guardian Essential poll of 1,003 Australians in late October”
SupportedPeter Lewis, chair of Essential Media, said: “The race that once stopped the nation is now just white noise for many.”Australia news | The Guardian: ““The race that once stopped the nation is now just white noise for many,” Peter Lewis, chair of Essential Media, said.”
SupportedThe low/no-interest share was 52% in 2022, 62% in 2023, 52% in 2024 and 56% in 2025.Australia news | The Guardian: “In November 2022, the low and no interest vote came to a combined 52%; it was 62% in 2023, 52% in 2024, and 56% in 2025.”
SupportedThe combined high- and moderate-interest figure of 32% is the lowest on record since the question began in November 2022.Australia news | The Guardian: “The combined high and moderate interest came to only 32%, the lowest on record since Essential began asking this question in annual polling in November 2022.”
SupportedThe “nup to the Cup” movement, backed by some high-profile politicians and celebrities, has contributed to declining support for the race.Australia news | The Guardian: “The “nup to the Cup” movement, backed by some high-profile politicians and celebrities, has contributed to declining support for the race.”
SupportedLewis said: “The key driver appears to be a growing disdain for gambling, although concern for animal cruelty comes a close second.”Australia news | The Guardian: ““The key driver appears to be a growing disdain for gambling, although concern for animal cruelty comes a close second,” Lewis said.”
SupportedLewis said: “More broadly this reflects the decline in unifying atonal moments in a world where more and more people have their experiences mediated by targeted advertising algorithms.”Australia news | The Guardian: ““More broadly this reflects the decline in unifying atonal moments in a world where more and more people have their experiences mediated by targeted advertising algorithms.””
Supported62% agreed the Cup was a unique part of Australia’s national identity, down from 78% in 2019.Australia news | The Guardian: “But 62% of Australians nonetheless agreed the Melbourne Cup was a unique part of Australia’s national identity. That number remains a strong majority view, despite falling from 78% agreement when Essential asked this question in 2019.”
Supported12% said they regularly wagered on horse races and would bet on Tuesday’s Cup, down 5 points from 2025.Australia news | The Guardian: “Just 12% of voters in October’s poll said they regularly wagered on horse races and would bet on Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, down 5 points from 2025.”
Supported46% said they were not interested in the Cup and would not place a bet, up 6 points from last year.Australia news | The Guardian: “In contrast, 46% of people said they were not interested in the Cup and would not place a bet, up 6 points from last year.”