Move over the old and stale - the younger generation are moving in!

[Chief Stipe]

Young flock to Cup Week

 

https://bitofayarn.com

 

Darcy Cosgriff

 

Nov 12, 2025

There was a distinctly young feel about the 286,746 strong crowd across the four Spring Carnival days, and the demographic stats have backed that up.https://bitofayarn.com

Of all general admission tickets purchased, 53 percent were bought by people under the age of 35, up 14% from 2025.

Victoria Racing Club CEO Kylie Rogers said it was a “particularly exciting” year in that regard.

“The success of the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival has emphatically demonstrated that racing is back and thriving. With our largest crowd since 2018, record-breaking wagering turnover on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, and significant uplift in broadcast figures, the momentum and energy throughout the week was infectious," she said.

“What's particularly exciting is the significant growth in younger audiences. This Carnival has demonstrated that racing continues to captivate a diverse range of audiences.https://bitofayarn.com

Rogers said the Melbourne Cup Carnival continued to be Australia's most-celebrated sporting and entertainment event, and the momentum gave the VRC tremendous confidence for the future.

Daily attendance figures reflected the Carnival's broad appeal, with Howden Victoria Derby Day attracting 86,343 guests, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day attracting 84,373, Crown Oaks Day welcoming 51,239, and TAB Champions Stakes Day closing the week with 65,012 racegoers.

KEY STATISTICS

The 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival welcomed its largest crowd since 2018 with 286,746 attending Flemingtonhttps://bitofayarn.com

Of all general admission tickets for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, 53 percent were purchased by people under the age of 35 – up 17% year-on-year.

Lexus Melbourne Cup broadcast National Total TV reach increased 9% year-on-year, with total audience over 2 million for the first time since 2018.

Record wagering turnover across both the Lexus Melbourne Cup meeting and the Lexus Melbourne Cup race.

Over 36 million video views across VRC’s digital channels, up 63% year-on-year.

The economic impact of the Melbourne Cup Carnival was on full display on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, with 66% of ticket sales coming from interstate or international visitors.

The Carnival’s philanthropic and community impact was again significant, contributing over $1 million to charity and equine wellbeing partners.

[Special Agent]

Over 36 million video views across VRC’s digital channels, up 63% year-on-year.

Isn't that a stat!

In contrast, did I see where TVNZ didn't show the NZ Trotting Cup?  Awareness must come from many avenues.

No Trackside Radio is a huge loss, in my eyes.

[Chief Stipe]

26 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

In contrast, did I see where TVNZ didn't show the NZ Trotting Cup?  Awareness must come from many avenues.

They haven't shown it in full for a long time.  

To be fair they havent shown the Melbourne Cup live for decades!

TVNZ is an anachronism from the past.  Gone gone gone.

[Shab]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

They haven't shown it in full for a long time.  

To be fair they havent shown the Melbourne Cup live for decades!

TVNZ is an anachronism from the past.  Gone gone gone.

What a load of old cobblers.

https://www.vrc.com.au/racing/broadcast-guide/

[Shad]

They young brigade maybe there for the big occasions, but how many will flock to a mid week meeting at reefton or riccarton or timbuktu, not many id imagine, so I'll fall into the ole stale generation, that supported local meetings for all my life, even fronted for some of the big occasions, so this article to me a little bit misleading, next time I'm at at quiet mid week meeting I'll report  back to get a number on all those new generation of punters, or will there be more of the old stale generation, that kept the game going for many generations. 

[Chief Stipe]

9 hours ago, Shab said:

What a load of old cobblers.

https://www.vrc.com.au/racing/broadcast-guide/

Whats a "load of old cobblers"?  The  NZ TV channels are struggling for viewership hence the lay-offs of  news reporters and presenters.  Not to mention the sale of a channel for a $1!!!!  Linear TV is not a happening thing.

Increasingly viewers are streaming their favourite TV programmes to watch when they want to not when they are first scheduled.

As for the NZ Trotting Cup you could have stopped the tractor opened a tinny and watched it streaming on your phone.

Get with the programme!!!

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Shad said:

They young brigade maybe there for the big occasions, but how many will flock to a mid week meeting at reefton or riccarton or timbuktu, not many id imagine, so I'll fall into the ole stale generation, that supported local meetings for all my life, even fronted for some of the big occasions, so this article to me a little bit misleading, next time I'm at at quiet mid week meeting I'll report  back to get a number on all those new generation of punters, or will there be more of the old stale generation, that kept the game going for many generations. 

You can support a mid-week meeting in the wops without being there.  The reality is the same number of people (often the same people) have been attending these meetings for years.  But does any full-time working person in Palmerston North have the time or can afford to take the day off to go watch a mid-week winter meeting at Woodville?  

But they can still watch and punt wherever they are.

[hesi]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Whats a "load of old cobblers"?  The  NZ TV channels are struggling for viewership hence the lay-offs of  news reporters and presenters.  Not to mention the sale of a channel for a $1!!!!  Linear TV is not a happening thing.

Increasingly viewers are streaming their favourite TV programmes to watch when they want to not when they are first scheduled.

As for the NZ Trotting Cup you could have stopped the tractor opened a tinny and watched it streaming on your phone.

Get with the programme!!!

I think you will find, that very high percentage of the younger generation, do not watch mainstream media.

 

[Newmarket]

On one hand it is good…. and i see how they gave $1m to charity and partners…. But  i can see everywhere in the world big issues with problem gamblers. 
 

I am 60yrs old, as a 18yr you spent what you had, hardly heard of credit cards or personal loans…TABs were hidden down alleyways with little advertising, no casinos, no lotto or pokies.  
Compare it with today, easy to get credit, online Entain and casino gambling or oncourse, lotto jackpots and pokies…. and huge offers and promotions targeting mainly young punters both on social media and TV, and lets not forget Betcha was introduced for youngsters to get hooked. 
Going to be some very sad stories coming out over the next few years….