The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with specialist sports and hospitality provider Sports Travel & Hospitality (STH) Group to launch Melbourne Cup Carnival Travel and Experiences – a bespoke travel platform designed to be a one-stop-shop for visitors to the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Melbourne Cup Carnival Travel and Experiences will offer access to tickets across all days of the Carnival, as well as premium hospitality, hotel accommodation, dining experiences, and other activities across Flemington Racecourse and the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.
The multi-year partnership will connect expert travel providers with sporting fans and eventgoers who want to make the most of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
STH Group, the dedicated Sodexo Live! company for travel and hospitality, has a strong track record of delivering premium fan experiences through strategic partnerships. STH works with some of Australia’s biggest sporting organisations including Tennis Australia for the Australian Open and Rugby Australia for international rugby fixtures. STH Group are also set to drive a new era for fan experience in partnership World Rugby for the 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cups in Australia.
VRC Chief Commercial Officer Fran Vavallo said the STH partnership offers a central booking point for all Melbourne Cup Carnival travel experiences.
"We are thrilled to embark on this long-term and strategic global partnership with STH,the partnership will allow us to grow attendance and engagement in the Melbourne Cup Carnival by making it easier for guests to book travel, accommodation and tickets in one location.
Cup Week is a significant tourism driver for Victoria, attracting more than 68,000 visitors and having a dedicated travel partner will make it easier than ever before for people to book their trip to Flemington.
This initiative will not only enhance the fan experience but also provide new ways for racegoers to immerse themselves in everything the Carnival has to offer – from trackside moments to fine dining and everything in between."
"We’re proud to partner with the VRC to create a seamless way for fans to experience the Melbourne Cup Carnival. From luxury travel packages to unforgettable hospitality, we’re redefining the raceday experience that speaks to passionate racing fans and the broader sporting and travel audience alike.
We are proud our extensive travel and hospitality experience continues to go from strength to strength across a number of high-profile sporting events across the globe and we’re delighted to broaden our offering to include the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival."
For more information, visit: melbcuptravelexperiences.com
The 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 1 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 4 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 6 November and TAB Champions Day on Saturday 8 November.
About Sports Travel & Hospitality (STH)
STH, the Sodexo Live! dedicated company for travel & hospitality, connects fans with the heart of the action at the world’s biggest sporting events. With three decades of expertise and offices in the UK, United States of America, Australia, and New Zealand, STH delivers comprehensive hospitality and travel programmes, enhancing customer experience and driving growth for sports rights holders. Past projects include six Rugby World Cups, London 2012, Tokyo 2020, the Australian Open, and ICC tournaments.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favouring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and the recent Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
