Tabcorp partners VRC and Nine in landmark Melbourne Cup agreement

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC), Tabcorp and Nine Entertainment have joined forces in a landmark broadcast, media and sponsorship deal for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The new agreement runs until 2029, with the Melbourne Cup Carnival to be broadcast on all SKY platforms and the TAB app, with Tabcorp having the right to on-sell the coverage to wagering providers.

Nine will be the free-to-air partner of the carnival, including audio-visual rights for broadcast, streaming, mobile, digital and social platforms, while Tabcorp will be the exclusive wagering integration partner for Nine’s broadcast of the four-day event in November.

“The VRC is delighted to extend and enhance its long-term partnership with Tabcorp,” said VRC chairman Neil Wilson. “As Australia’s first major event, the Melbourne Cup Carnival will sit very appropriately in the calendar of Nine’s Wide World of Sport major event coverage. The Melbourne Cup Carnival is Australia’s pre-eminent racing event, and the partnership continues the VRC’s unwavering commitment to showcasing the very best the sport of racing has to offer and attracting new fans to the sport.”

“This landmark partnership is not only good for Melbourne and Victorian racing, but it also guarantees our sport has primacy across multiple platforms and channels.”

VRC chief executive Steve Rosich commented: “The partnership with Tabcorp and the arrangements with Nine have been developed by our close strategic alignment and a desire to grow and innovate in our industry. We are thrilled that in 2024 the Melbourne Cup Carnival will join the Nine big event stable alongside the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Australian Open and State of Origin.

“Nine’s capability to showcase coverage of Melbourne Cup Carnival racing and events across the depth of their leading broadcast and streaming assets make for a compelling partnership outcome.”

Tabcorp CEO Adam Rytenskild added: “Tabcorp’s partnership with the VRC and Nine is the most innovative in Australian sport and we can’t wait to bring our entire digital, broadcast and retail ecosystem together to grow and promote the Melbourne Cup Carnival together.

“This partnership builds on Tabcorp winning the 20-year Victorian exclusive wagering licence and will be a key pillar of our growth strategy. Together with our Brand and Customer transformation, this partnership gives us a terrific platform to grow in Victoria, throughout Australia and around the world as we beam the Cup to more than 60 different countries through Sky Racing.”

Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines said the arrangements were important to the Victorian racing industry.

“The Government looks forward to the VRC working with Tabcorp and Nine to grow the Victorian racing audience and find new and innovative ways to showcase this iconic sporting and cultural event to the world,” he said.

Shares in Tabcorp Holdings Ltd. (ASX:TAH) gained 5.76 per cent to close at AUD$0.74 per share in Sydney Monday.