23 October 2025
Geelong Racecourse

The Ladbrokes Geelong Cup isn’t just a race day. It’s a local favourite, and in 2025, it’s stepping into the national spotlight.

For the first time, Geelong has secured a Melbourne Cup golden ticket. The winner of the Geelong Cup will earn a guaranteed spot in the Melbourne Cup. It's a first for any country racecourse in Australia and a big moment for our region. Expect big names, more media, and a serious race day buzz.

On the track, it’s set to be a high-stakes race. Off the track, there’s a full day of entertainment and extras:

Damien Oliver will host in the Mounting Yard Bar
The Melbourne Cup will be on display for photos in the Melbourne Cup Marquee
Live music and DJs across the lawns
Pop-up bars, happy hours and giveaways
Free buses from Geelong in the morning and back again in the evening
Group deal: Buy 5 GA passes, get 10
More included with General Admission in 2025: live music on the lawn, DJs on the Furphy Lawn, happy hours, pop-up bars, and the chance to win an upgrade to an all-inclusive marquee

Plan your day

Once the races wrap, the official afterparty kicks off at 5pm on the Furphy Lawn with legendary race day DJ John Course behind the decks. Expect high-energy sets and a packed dance floor as the sun goes down.

The Geelong Cup draws a crowd of around 10,000 every year. Some go all out with marquee packages, others keep it casual on the lawn with friends. Either way, it's one of the biggest days on the local calendar.

Staying the night? Good call. There are plenty of great places to stay nearby...

Can’t make it to Ladbrokes Geelong Cup? There are plenty of other ways to dress up and celebrate spring racing across the region. Check out these upcoming race day events.